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Round-Up: Ethics and Reform

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Illinois

[posted by Mike Murray]

* Watchdogs question legitimacy of new campaign donation rules

But watchdog groups say that in the long Illinois tradition of passing fake reform measures, the new limits are another sham and they find themselves in the odd position of lobbying Gov. Pat Quinn - himself a veteran ethics advocate - to veto or rewrite campaign donation limits they have long sought.

“This is just fatally flawed,” said Dave Lundy, president of the Better Government Association, which is lobbying Quinn with other organizations.

Vetoing or rewriting the measure would run the risk that lawmakers won’t approve the changes or pass any other limits down the road. Some reformers are willing to take that risk.

“These limits are worse than having no limits,” added David Morrison, deputy director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. “The problems are so extensive the risk is that lawmakers would not get around to fixing them if this became law.”

* Make it easier to follow money in campaigns

Those who have dragged their feet about enacting campaign contribution limits - or endorsed half-baked measures like House Bill 7, which Gov. Pat Quinn’s should veto - say disclosure rules are enough.

But disclosure doesn’t prevent the undue access and influence that large donors receive and it doesn’t prevent pay-to-play politics. Still, it is useful and relatively easy.[…]

We agree with the Illinois Reform Commission that state law should require political committees to disclose these bundlers if they coordinate contributions above a certain amount - the Reform Commission recommended $16,000 as the threshold.

The Legislature also should adopt the commission’s recommendations for speeding up filing requirements, such as mandating that contributions of $1,000 or more for statewide office and $500 for other offices to be reported electronically within five business days.

* Money plus career politicians equals never-ending corruption

* Feds water down Illinois anti-corruption law

A surprise opponent has arisen to fight efforts to tighten Illinois’ anti-pay-to-play law.

No, not Mike Madigan, George Ryan’s campaign committee or your local precinct captain. But rather the federal government, specifically the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration — and Congressman Mike Quigley, D-Chicago, wants to do something about it.

Here’s the story:

* Fix FOIA Now

But today’s Daily Herald editorial gave some of the reasons why they support the bill, and we at ICPR can identify with these problems:

Our reporters battled some bureaucrats for months when we tried to learn about red-light cameras for our recent “Seeing Red” investigative series. One village clerk said we didn’t need the documents because others had reported on the cameras. Another village official called the request a waste of time.

In all, it took more than two months to obtain documents about a government program operating all over the region. It should take seven days under the existing loophole-ridden law.

As part of our review of lobbying by units of government, we at ICPR send out hundreds of FOIA requests each year. (here’s a PDF of our most recent report) Most units respond promptly, and we commend them for that. After all, that’s what the law requires. But what we cannot understand is why so many units of government fail to respond in a timely fashion; and sometimes, not at all.

* End the delay, gov; changes to FOIA should become law

* Blago’s former aide due back in court

The next chapter in former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s corruption case comes next week when his former top aide is due to change his own plea on corruption charges to guilty.

Alonzo Monk, the ousted governor’s former chief of staff, is due to appear before U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel on Tuesday to change his plea

* Can’t leggo your Blago?

Impeached former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is spreading his self-described message as a “champion for ordinary Americans” through a Web site launched Sunday.

governorrod.com invites readers to “Tell Rod what’s bugging you” during his weekly radio show on WLS or book the former governor for a speaking engagement.[…]

“He made history in August 2009 when he became the first former elected official still facing charges to be named host of his own radio show,” a part of Blagojevich’s online biography reads.

The former governor needs a “one-stop shop” where people can do everything from hire him to sing an Elvis tune or learn his take on issues, Blagojevich’s spokesman and publicist Glenn Selig said.

* Can’t get enough Blago? Do we have a Web site for you

* Quinn asks all U. of I. trustees to resign in wake of clout report

Gov. Quinn is urging all of the University of Illinois trustees to resign in the wake of a recently released report detailing how clout helped unqualified students gain admission.

“The trustees who remain on the board, the best thing for them to do would be to read [the report], take it to heart and voluntarily submit their resignations,” Quinn told reporters at the University of Illinois at Chicago on Friday.

When asked if he would be willing to use his power as governor to force some trustees to quit, Quinn said he hoped he wouldn’t have to.

“My father taught me don’t take an aspirin until you get a headache,” he said. “I don’t intend to really deal with that issue.”

* U. of I. needs six law firms to handle admissions matters

The school has enlisted the help of six outside law firms to assist in its response to a flurry of Freedom of Information Act requests, a state panel that investigated the issue and lawsuits revolving around its giving special treatment to student applicants with clout in the admissions process.

The outside legal help is costing the state tens of thousands of dollars, if not more.

U. of I. spokesman Tom Hardy defended the hiring, saying the firms’ expertise is “important work.” One firm has also enlisted Hill & Knowlton, a public-relations firm, as well as a computer forensics company to assist, Hardy said.

Exactly how much the outside legal help has cost the university cannot be determined from the 55 pages of documents turned over after a Sun-Times Freedom of Information Act request.

* Prompt action required on U of I report

* Housecleaning must continue at U of I

University President B. Joseph White and Chancellor Richard Herman are also accused of unethical behavior in the admissions process, according to a report by the Illinois Admissions Review Commission. The commission recommended that all trustees resign, but did not go as far as calling for White and Herman to step down. The commission left the president’s and chancellor’s fates in the hands of a new board of trustees.

This is not a case of these individuals failing to find or deal with a problem: They knew about the influence peddling and used their own authority to get students into the school.

Sweeping all these individuals out of their jobs will not solve the university’s problems. Other measures in the commission’s report should be considered, such as a state inspector general for higher education and an open appeals process for students whose applications were rejected.

Continuity may be lost in a housecleaning, but credibility will be gained.

* Opposing view: White’s leadership is needed (Sen. Syverson Op-Ed)

University of Illinois President B. Joseph White has presided over the state’s flagship university during one of the most difficult economic periods in recent memory.

He has managed a university that, in real dollars, is receiving less funding from the state than it did six years ago. The U of I is more than just Illinois’ largest university, it is also one of our largest employers, with more than 20,000 employees. It is one of the top medical centers in the world, with hospitals and clinics throughout the state.

U of I has also developed one of the most respected pharmacy schools in the country, including the addition of a new campus in Rockford. White has helped the U of I maintain its status as one of the best universities in the world, and has done so by raising significant private dollars to help offset the funding cuts by the state.[…]

While some have called upon President White to resign due to some issues regarding actions of some board members, I believe, in these uncertain times, now is not the time to cast away the kind of leadership Dr. White has brought.

* A scandal’s impact

* Where will the UI go from here?

* Don’t let this redistricting idea die without a debate

There’s an idea floating around the Illinois Capitol that aims to empower the people, legitimately reform the way we choose our representatives and create competition in a system that too often guarantees incumbents re-election.

Right now, state Rep. Mike Fortner, a West Chicago Republican, is its lone advocate.

We urge other suburban lawmakers to look at the proposal, HJRCA32, and embrace its goals. Without co-sponsors and without bipartisan support, we fear this model for fixing the way Illinois draws its state and congressional districts will not get a proper debate.

* Make the check out to the alderman (for a retirement present)

The heir apparent to powerful Ald. William J.P. Banks (36th) is throwing a $200-a-ticket retirement party for the outgoing City Council zoning boss and asking everyone who attends to make the checks out to Banks personally.

“We’re going to buy him a gift,” said John Rice, Banks’ driver and would-be successor. “Thirty-two years of service to the city and to the community — I think he deserves a retirement party. That’s why I decided to throw it.”[…]

The city’s ethics ordinance prohibits gifts of $50 or more from anyone “with an economic interest in a specific business transaction” that an official has power over, said Steve Berlin, executive director of the Chicago Ethics Board. That would not apply if Banks has resigned before the party, Berlin said.

But David Morrison, assistant director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, urged Banks not to leave “a black mark on his legacy” by letting allies encourage people to give him cash directly. Morrison said Banks instead should hold a fundraiser for his political fund, which would require revealing the donors and the amounts publicly.

posted by Mike Murray
Monday, Aug 10, 09 @ 10:25 am

Comments

I wish I could say the outgoing fundraiser for Billy Banks is a shocker. Good riddance to him. Unfortunately Daley is going to appoint his driver to be his successor, for crying out loud.

Comment by Independent Monday, Aug 10, 09 @ 5:33 pm
Frivolous lawsuits are ruining our economy and America’s legal crisis is putting employees out of work, raising consumer prices and driving down shareholder value. We need to address the country’s litigation explosion and make the legal system simpler, and fairer. Read about the priorities of Friends of the U.S. Chamber at http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/issues/index.cfm?ID=306 .

Comment by anon Monday, Aug 10, 09 @ 6:30 pm