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Why is Quinn dragging his feet?

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*** UPDATE *** More empty talk…

Gov. Pat Quinn says Illinois must confront the “integrity crisis” caused by his predecessors, indicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and imprisoned former Gov. George Ryan.

Quinn says it’s time to disinfect Illinois government of corruption.

The buck stops with you, governor. Get on with it. Clean up your own house first. I’m tired of waiting.

[ *** End of Update *** ]

* Stuff like this is nice and all…

Gov. Quinn is not only continuing to pass out old business cards with the word “lieutenant” crossed off — but Sneed hears he’s also passing out generic pens minus his name at bill-signing ceremonies.

But I’d rather Quinn just spent the money on fancy pens so he didn’t have to worry about spending his time leaking silly stories like that to Sneed and then focus more energy on fumigating the darned government…

Gov. Quinn said Monday he’ll quickly decide the future of a $111,708-a-year top state employee who also was a key fund-raiser for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich in Chicago’s Indian-American community.

Quinn’s comments about Rajinder Bedi, managing director of the state’s Office of Trade & Investment, came the same day the Chicago Sun-Times disclosed Bedi might have played a role in Blagojevich’s alleged scheme to sell President Obama’s U.S. Senate seat.

I mean, this looks like a no-brainer…

Under Blagojevich, Bedi fended off multiple sexual harassment allegations from female employees — including one he allegedly called “tigress” and another he allegedly kissed and told “men have needs.” He denied the allegations but agreed to undergo sensitivity training.

Says Quinn…

“There will be a decision shortly,” Quinn said of Bedi. “I believe everybody’s record should be reviewed on an individual basis, and, in his case, he’s in a policy-making position. I’m looking at it, and I’ll take a position rather quickly.”

Look, I know that he’s got a big budget problem and all, but the governor is traveling the state demanding that legislators fall into 100 percent lockstep on his reform agenda while he drags his feet on weeding out Blagojevich holdovers from his own administration. That seems awfully hypocritical to me.

I’ve deliberately laid off of him, but time is up. No more. If he wants to claim the mantle of reform then he ought to prove it by ridding his office of the holdovers.

Actions, governor, speak much louder than words. Get on with it, for crying out loud.

* Meanwhile, the Kankakee Daily Journal blasts a reform bill which Quinn recently signed into law which effectively empties out the state pension boards of all Blagojevich appointees…

It would have been far fairer, though less popular, to dismiss those who had performed poorly or who had abused the public trust in some fashion.

Except for two things that the paper ignored:

1) Pension board members are appointed for specific terms and those terms don’t just expire at the snap of somebody’s fingers and the guv can’t just fire them.

2) Gov. Quinn has dragged his feet so much on his “fumigation” pledge that it might be years before he got around to replacing the bad apples.

* Related…

* Blagojevich headed for arraignment with legal team still unsettled

* Blagojevich in Court Today

* Rod Blagojevich Scheduled To Be Arraigned Tuesday

* Indicted Blagojevich to be arraigned today

* Rod Blagojevich: Former governor scheduled to be arraigned in federal court

* On deck tomorrow: Just Blago and his bro

* Durbin Says Blagojevich Deserves Day In Court

* Illinois Governor Pat Quinn Signs Executive Order To Increase Transparency For State Boards And Commissions

* Plan to publish state workers’ salaries, other info on Web moves forward

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 10:34 am

Comments

Couldn’t agree more with you Rich on Quinn’s decision to cleanup Rd’s holdovers…starting with McPier

Comment by Hopeful Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 10:52 am
Whistle While You Reform
- Larry Morey, modified by VanillaMan

Just whistle while you reform,
This place looks like a dorm,
Blago is gone, he’s bought the farm,

There goes your Honeymoon,
It didn’t take long
when there’s a throng
of angry voters with brooms

And as you fire that Staff
Imagine voter’s wrath,
and if you want to be their friend,
You’ll do it without end

When polls are high the time will fly so whistle while you reform

When there’s campaign funds to raise
Don’t walk around in a haze,
You have a once-in-a-lifetime shot,
So try not to f-it up!

And whistle while you reform
Come on get smart,
tune up and start
To whistle while you reform

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 10:53 am
I couldn’t agree more with you on this. I understand his argument about keeping things going but in some cases, replacements needed to be done right away. Even if it meant using a temporary under ling. As far as Rajinder Bedi goes, this guy should be in jail not looked at. Quinn doesn’t get it. Will never win a re-election.

Comment by Just Because Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 11:01 am
Quinn had a pretty long lead time. He knew he was getting the job. You would have thought he had people lined up.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 11:26 am
Great post Rich, Quinn seems to be leaning on the BLago team (Filan etc) rather than cleaning up the mess

Comment by downstate hack Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 11:46 am
’bout time

Comment by Leave a light on George Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 11:51 am
Quinn needs to pick up the Change of Pace….Blago was completely disengaged from running state government operations, so Quinn’s staff started way behind the curve. However, they aren’t catching up fast enoungh……The public needs to believe Quinn is taking charge so that Lawmakers feel compelled to support his agenda….

Comment by Louis Howe Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 12:00 pm
Word not just lead time, he had a transition committee. Quinn’s process of using feel good gestures which make him individually look good while taking little action to rid us of many other subastantialy more expnsive political appointee’s is blago lite. We keep employees at 6 figure salaries at DHS, CMS and elsewhere that need removed, but he saved us what? $12 on cards the State prints inhouse?

After years of Blago empty press ops and gestures, Illinois needs substantive action, not blago lite.

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 12:04 pm
At first blush, all I can figure is that Quinn is letting sponsors intimidate him– which doesn’t seem Quinn-like. Sure, everyone is screaming in his ear that “my person is off-limits!” You’d think, though, that even one article like this for most political hires would have been enough to get them booted. But Rajinder–and some others–have had several, which means someone extraordinary must be advocating on their behalf.

I don’t think you’ll see a lot of these sponsors lining up behind Quinn if Lisa runs so I don’t see what he has to lose by wholesale change. Most of the remaining Blago people are trying to figure out a way to remake themselves as Madigan supporters anyway, so there shouldn’t be any downside to fumigation.

He should take a chance and let the chips fall where they may. It might be that no one is as important to his election chances as he’s being led to believe; and don’t worry, they’re all key to his victory, just ask them!

Comment by Narcoleptic Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 12:13 pm
What costs more? A: Printing new business cards or B: A unionized state employee’s labor crossing out “lieutenant” with a black magic marker? Its probably a wash.

Comment by Downstate weed chewing hick Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 1:01 pm
You can’t clean up the mess if the janitorial crew is headed by Filan.

Comment by anon Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 1:22 pm
I’ve worked under three people during my 30 years of government service that I consider “evil” (because they actually enjoyed causing others to suffer): Mike Tristano, Scott Fawell, and John Filan. Filan must go now. So must many of the Blago-appointed, self-serving folks who could care less about government service and yet draw huge salaries or contracts.

Quinn should expel them and beg some of the many competent managers Blago forced out of state government to come back and right the ship. Not many would come, but the Blago appointees are cut in his own mold… it’s all about what’s in it for them personally.

Comment by WordOnTheStreet Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 2:01 pm
Isn’t the ARRA $ coming in this week? Is Filan going to be kept away from it? Let’s hope he stays @ The Prudential building where he belongs and away from DCEO…

Comment by Anonymous45 Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 2:08 pm
I assume we can all agree that the simple fact that you were hired during Gov Blagojevich’s tenure doesn’t per se make you bad or incompetent. Gov Quinn has said that employees doing their job well should have nothing to fear, and I think that’s proper.

Therefore, any house cleaning he’s going to do has to involve some sorting that can be pretty difficult. Other wise, he has to fire them all and let God sort them out.

I think, assuming there is a sorting process going on behind the scenes that we don’t see, that I’m satisfied to give the Governor more time to try to do things right.

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 2:24 pm
Steve, my point is and remains that he needs to spend less time on silly, meaningless press pops and more time on actually cleaning things up. I’m tired of the little Sneedlings. It’s long past time for real action. This holier than thou attitude of his just infuriates me more every day.

For crying out loud, how hard is it to Google his employees to refresh his memory about which ones ought to go?

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 2:29 pm
to paraphrase Speaker Madigan:

John Filan was in charge of the GOMB before, during, and after an $809,000 no-work “consulting fee” was paid to Big Bob Kjellander as part of a Pension Bond scheme labeled as “corrupt from its inception” by US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Mr. Filan never chose to become a whistleblower on this corruption, even after the FBI visited his office on two occasions.

Rich is absolutely right about Quinn and Filan, but it’s gonna take more than The Orkin Man to fumigate the latter. Something more like a SWAT team, but since we have Dr. Doogie Howser running the State Police, that may be hard to get done quickly. Filan would never be a real man and step aside voluntarily, as he should.

Comment by Behind the Curtain Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 2:29 pm
Blagojevich is gone, but that wasn’t the only solution.

Comment by Levois Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 2:38 pm
Word, I really think that if you have the great courage it takes to name names, you would have the b—s to post your own.

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 2:44 pm
Bravo Rich, Thank you for calling for action on (some) Blago hires. It is long over due.

Steve, I generally respect what you have to day on the boards, however, your constant call for others to identify themselves is overdone.

You need to repsect the fact that some (not all)posters may well be in the line of fire or have current contracts with the state of Illinois or simply have family who could be harmed in some fashion. Real or perceived.

Is it possible that an unqualified Blago hack is sitting at a desk looking to assert power and cause pain for an state employee or contractor? The answer is, Steve, that is IS possible and I am aware of it happening currently.

So congrats to you for standing up and flexing your RETIRED muscles by using your real name. Please understand others may not have earned their fat retirement just yet and still need to work with/for some of the blago clowns that Quinn has promised to eliiminate but has yet to fullfill his promise.

Comment by Larry Mullholland Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 3:28 pm
You would think that with all the allegations of improper hiring under Blago, including his own Inspector General’s report, that the Ill. Civil Service Commission needs to be cleaned out.

Comment by Toad Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 3:36 pm
Judged on their merits? An empty promise to many hardworking people that were left in the governor’s office after Blagojevich was ousted. I know many good, smart, honest people that got the ax with nothing more than a one line ‘we’re taking the administration in a different direction’ meanwhile filan is still collecting a paycheck. Quinn is all talk so far and I couldn’t be more disappointed.

Comment by amen Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 3:48 pm
Steve-

Where do you stand if doing your job was doing things you were told to do by people hired by Blago in managerial positions if you knew that what you were being asked to do was not in your job description and/or illegal or unethical?

As an example let’s say you were a fiscal officer in a State agency and a supervisor told you to take monies to pay for a vaccination program from funds from a dedicated funding source? Should you be fired, or your super or both?

Seems to me that Quinn is trying not to make enemies of the folks that requested their cronies be put in State jobs prior to his run for Governor in 2010.

Question is: Who sent Filan and why is Pat so willing to fall on his sword for him, friend or not, risking total outrage from the electorate?

Comment by Anonymous45 Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 3:48 pm
WordOnTheStreet - that means you worked for CMS, the SOS or McPier and the GOMB. That’s a lot of moving! Bet your mothers proud of you.

Comment by Chicago Guy Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 4:03 pm
Needless to say, IDOT has most of the incompetent Blago appointed hacks in “operations manager”, “community relations intern”, “assistant to the…” jobs. Not to mention most of the engineering positions that have been changed to “manager” positions. It’s time to fumigate our house now Reform Commision, and have these tainted appointees clean out their desks & show them where the doors are. Schaumburg & Chicago offices are infested. There may be a chance to start rebuilding this organization into a professional department it once was.

Comment by IDOTPRO Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 4:26 pm
What did I do Rich? It is not a rumor….it actually happened. Call and find out.

Comment by Justice Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 4:28 pm
My post was deleted. Rich I did not mean to offend, just to inform.

Comment by Justice Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 4:32 pm
In fairness to Schnorf–and he doesn’t really need any defense–I think there is a sensible approach Quinn could take that would be meaningful in the short term without throwing the baby out with the bath water in the long term.

Anyone who took part in acts that were “suspect” once they handcuffed Elvis should immediately be asked to take a walk. “Suspect?” Well, if you were a Personnel/HR person who moved people around to try to conceal them or get them big raises, a fiscal officer who suddenly found lots of money to fund those raises or special projects, or a political hire (SPSA, PSA, term appt., etc.) who was knowingly complicit in any of these acts (the beneficiary, I mean) I’d say you were part of suspect behavior.

It goes without saying that if you were a director, supervisor or intergovernmental liaison who condoned these things you should be gone, too. Granted, every single person who engaged in these activities has already prepared the “devil made me do it” excuse. Be that as it may, anyone who worked for this administration can attest to the fact that it in the end it devolved into a lot of little private counting houses that served the interests of only a select few.

Orders were given attributing them to Harris (Clayton or John) or some other “them” in the Governor’s office while the truth of the matter was they were just some person’s manipulation of the system-in-chaos.

In my feeble estimation, this simple act by the administration would catch enough high profile names to make a public impact while at the same time clearing out people who have, who are and who will continue to undermine Quinn’s efforts anyway.

Quinn’s people know who did these things–many will tell you that. But they will have to step on the toes of some legislators, of some County Chairmen, and of more than a few lobbyists. We’ll see if they think it’s worth it.

Comment by Ms Port Belly Mushroom Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 4:43 pm
How many employees at issue are in at-will positions vs. on four year terms or civil service jobs (most now unionized as well). Unless they are at will jobs, Quinn et al presumably would have to talk them into leaving or try to fire them for cause, a protracted process if they decide to stay and fight. And in this economy, they probably would be more likely to do that.
These are good jobs with good salaries and to die for benefits.

Most citizens probably don’t realize how hard it is to get rid of state employees for all but the most egregious conduct if they don’t want to go.

No, I’m not blaming state employees for this.
We citizens decided to have it that way. And sometimes we are reminded of that.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 4:58 pm
Absolutely, Rich. As they say: you’re either part of the solution or part of the problem. The old former gov. goofy cronies can’t be THAT hard to find; just ask some real State workers. Check some hire dates.

Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 5:15 pm
Gov Blagojevich wasn’t reticent at dismissing people in terms, with Civil Service protection, and Boards and Commissions members. I think he was very mistaken in how he approached that, and probably outside the law. I hope PQ doesn’t emulate him in that regard.

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 5:16 pm
Yes please get on with replacing the Department of Corrections and Department of Juvenile Justice Directors and clowns below them.

Comment by CONCERNED Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 5:25 pm
“Mike Tristano, Scott Fawell, and John Filan” George Bush might call them the “Axis of Evil” - LOL I know people that have worked for and with all of them - I can’t recall anyone speaking highly of them. On the other hand I know people that have worked for and with Schnorf and all speak VERY highly of him. The retired guy knows his stuff….

Comment by civilservant Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 6:21 pm
Quinn can dig up the “Material Reorganization” verbaige to rid Blago’s hacks. If he doesn’t know how, check with IDOT Traffic Safety for first-hand knowledge. I think anyone who has been named in a federal subpeona or a federal lawsuit should get kicked to the curb. All agency personnel directors and personnel bureau chiefs should go - illegal hiring practices should not be tolerated. I wonder how Quinn feels knowing he worked with an “unethical” Blago. State employees are still working for “unethical” managers.

Comment by Can't Say My Nickname Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 6:30 pm
“Gov Blagojevich wasn’t reticent at dismissing people in terms, with Civil Service protection, and Boards and Commissions members. I think he was very mistaken in how he approached that, and probably outside the law. I hope PQ doesn’t emulate him in that regard.”

That is the only thing you’ve posted today I agree with Steve. Saw the mistakes first hand in the dismisal of folks from day one of Blago. Basic procedures were just ignored.

On the other hand 12 persons personnel records have be subpoened by Fitz and the names made public. Many if not all of the 12 are still employed by the state. I worked everyday (at least on days the guy showed up) with one of them. He is not hard to identify and should be long gone.

Comment by Leave a light on George Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 6:31 pm
–Can’t say–and–Leave a light–

I agree. The people who wreaked the most havoc are at-will (SPSA, PSA, unconfirmed term appts.) employees and clearly terminable. They took advantage of months of internal chaos leading up to Rod’s arrest.

Of course, one key player downstate made lots of decisions at IDOT at the end because no one cared to police him. If you look at the AP story on the raises, etc., and you’ve been around state government at all—even if only for the last six years–you’ll know that nothing happened at IDOT in a vacuum or was solely initiated by Milt Sees. I’ll mix metaphors and say the scorched earth policy at IDOT reflected the mentality of a coach who lost the ballgame and was fired by the school but who, as one of his last acts, told the players: “Go ahead and raid the concession stand. Get what you can. It’s not mine anymore.”

Other collaborators, people who pushed these IDOT-type actions at other agencies at the end, and who winked and nodded their assent while others carried out directions, weren’t even state employees anymore. Yet, in that same vacuum, they were able to trade on their “reps” in an effort to get their people big salary bumps or title changes or subterranean assignments where they might not be noticed. They did this knowing in the end very few people would be terminated. It has been a successful gambit–conveniently blaming Rod’s people who are gone, while still reaping all the benefits and none of the consequences. Pretty nifty. And it has worked!!

Ultimately, the thought was/is that even if these people get whacked it was a good ride. If they didn’t/don’t get whacked then that’s gravy. Pure self interest: Let’s see what we can get away with. It was a “friends and family” program where your aunt’s uncle’s used car salesman is your “family” and the guy who can get you a reduced price Big Bertha suddenly becomes a “good friend.”

To my mind, what is so ironic is that these are the same people who despised Madigan (Mike and Lisa) since 2003, and who have blamed MJM for Rod’s problem with the legislature, his fall, arrest and impeachment. Heck, right up until last week’s indictment they were even convinced he might walk—that the evidence wasn’t there. Yet even now these same people are trying to figure out a way to ingratiate themselves to Madigan’s people. Go figure.

As I’ve said, Quinn can do this fumigation. It just carries with it risks he has to be willing to take. In his position, I don’t see any downside. These people are toxic, anyway. It’s not as if Lisa is going to gain a great army. If she’s smart she’ll hold her wooden cross high, wear lots of garlic, and keep a stake in her briefcase when they come calling . . .

Comment by Ms Port Belly Mushroom Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 6:37 pm
I’ve given up hope that Governor Quinn will clean house at IDOT. I truly can’t think of one person hired that was or is qualified to do the job they were placed in. They have padded their wallets with hefty paychecks and bonuses. It is time to clean house!

Comment by Old Timer Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 6:59 pm
Maybe he’s intentially slow-playing the fumigation process. Perhaps the pace will pick up after the Spring session as he leads up to the primary. He could maximize the reform angle when more people are paying attention. The cautious approach also shows that he intends to be thoughtful and fair before cutting the rogues loose.

Comment by Budget Watcher Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 7:04 pm
We can only hope Quinn is being deliberate about this process. If he keeps Filan, that sound you hear is the Fat Lady singing.

Comment by Smitty Irving Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 7:47 pm
Remember nobody told PQ to fumigate. It was his idea, mon. He just hasn’t delivered. It doesn’t take a shaman to find these people my friend. Just look at any agency, how many Ass’t Directors, Deputy Directors. assistants to those directors, special assistants to those directors and the score of SPSAs who came in Rutan exempt do they have now compared to the pre RastaRod days. Ya mon check DHS first but don’t foget the CMS and HFS. Them belly full but we hungry.

Comment by reggaeman Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 7:51 pm
I submitted a similiar post yesterday on this topic and have to agree once more that Miller is right on. PQ has made some director changes at DNR and ISP, that’s a good start. But what is taking so long with other notable agencies such as DHS and DOC? Quinn has had 5 months to to get going. I understand the need to be careful and methodical when choosing qualified people, but this is ridiculous.

What about the director at Juvenile Justice who was recently implicated in the improper firing of an employee? An independent arbitrator stated that the director was directly involved in denying due process. Why does this director still have a job? What about Walker at DOC? He was basically Blago’s mouthpiece when it came to closing Stateville CC and then Pontiac CC. When asked directly why the change of plans he couldn’t give a straight answer. It is glaring incompetence like this that should be a no brainer for Quinn.

His lack of action leads one to believe that maybe he is just as incompetent as they are. God help us until 2010………

Comment by southern illinoisan Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 8:13 pm
==He was basically Blago’s mouthpiece …=

If you weren’t Blago’s mouthpiece, you were fired. Rather, lets start with deliberated actions - for example, if true, the Director mentioned by southern illinoisian … .

Comment by Smitty Irving Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 8:17 pm
What is the big deal about posting state employee salaries on the web? They are public record and anyone can get them from the Comptrollers office. The Sun Times and St. Louis Post Dispatch have searchable data bases where you can look them up by name, agancy, county, etc.

Do I agree with it- No but it is already out there and I thnk they are just using it to get press mileage.

If anyone wondered I am a PSA and made $48K last year.

Comment by State Worker W/ an MBA Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 8:26 pm
I agree with Irving’s assumption, but that doesn’t make it right. Directors serve at the pleasure of the governor and must represent the admin philosophy. But there is also a little thing called integrity and Walker is lacking in that area……

Comment by southern illinoisan Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 8:29 pm
southern illinoisian - lets go after the bad apples first.

State Worker W/ an MBA - My objection is the legislative and judicial branches are exempt. Everyone or no one.

Comment by Smitty Irving Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 8:39 pm
After Bedi is fired Quinn should start asking questions to all those Indian and Paki employees at IDOT and the Tollway. Big jobs for those of little experience. Payoffs figure large.

Comment by aronan Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 9:52 pm
Come on Rich last week i made almost your exact statement and you told me to be patient, what has changed? I still agree with you though.

Comment by Anon Again Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 10:12 pm
G*d bless Bill Cellini.

Comment by aronan Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 8:45 am
[…] Actions, governor, speak much louder than words. Get on with it, for crying out loud. Read More at Capital Fax […]

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