Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

FYI: No Blog Posts Today

Posted in:

Illinois

[posted by Mike Murray]

I’m taking a much deserved day off from the blog to get some rest and catch up on other work. I will be back tomorrow bright and early with complete round-ups [including stories from today] and hopefully a fun story on the state fair.

p.s. - if you see a story you would like to be up on the blog, you can throw it in comments for this post and I will include it in tomorrow’s posts.

posted by Mike Murray
Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 10:24 am

Comments

Rich leaves for a week and all hell breaks loose.

Comment by Johnnyc Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 10:38 am
Mike is this your furlough day?

Comment by Scooby Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 10:41 am
Johnnyc, it was 2 weeks but thx for noticing.

Scooby, u have to get paid to be able to take a furlough day.

If you must know, I have only had 7 hours of sleep (before last night) since Sunday Morning. So I went to bed last night at 8pm and woke up after 10am. I slept through my 5 alarms that go off between 5 and 6am.

I have important meetings today at my other job (starting at 11:30) and it was already so late in the morning that I have just decided to take the whole day off the blog.

Despite rumors to the contrary, I am only human. I will be back in force tomorrow….

Comment by Mike Murray Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 10:49 am
What are you Rod Blagojevich?

Comment by Northside Bunker Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 10:56 am
Has anyone started paying off yet on legal video poker games? I haven’t seen anything in the west burbs or downtown. So far, the local governments seem to be opting out in a big way.

What will that do to the capital program? What’s an alternative revenue source for the bonds?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 10:58 am
Bring back Rich!

Comment by ??? Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 10:59 am
Rich Miller for Governor!!!

Comment by Curious Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 11:00 am
Watch it ???, or should I say Matt from Bedminster NJ. There is no such thing as an anonymous post on this blog -at least for administrators- I can easily check out ur IP address which shows me an address for where ur computer is and the name linked o the address. Although sometimes that is just where a home base is for a corporation…

Rich will be back soon enough. Till then u are stuck with me.

Comment by Mike Murray Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 11:04 am
I would like to know, and maybe see discussed, why everyone is calling for the trustees at
U of I to resign yet no repercussions are being felt by the Legislators who made the calls to exercise the clout. Anyone who has been in State Government any time at all knows that a call from a legislator gets action that is not available to regular taxpaying citizens. The Legislators and their staffs are fully aware of this. They know what impact their calls have, that is why they make the calls. They initiated the requests on the students behalf, probably fully expecting cooperation from the trustees. To me that puts the preponderance of the blame on them. Yet they are not feeling any heat on this.

Comment by Irish Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 11:05 am
Also on U of I if it is so morally wrong that someone gets special consideration because a trustee or a legislator called as a reference what about athletic scholarships and admissions. Is it fair that someone with a 2.4 and a 17 on their ACT gets a spot at a topranked university just because they are adept at tackling running backs or an individual is 6 foot 9 and can make 12 foot jump shots all day. Maybe abner and all the holier than though do-gooders at the Tribune can call for the elimination of all athletic scholarships if fairness in admissions is their true goal and not selling newspapers or staying relevant at a ripe old age??

Comment by the chief Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 11:12 am
Here are few key stories:

Durbin, Shimkus won’t do town halls
http://www.sj-r.com/homepage/x1591365634/Durbin-Shimkus-won-t-do-town-halls-on-health-care

Cullerton: I have support to replace DeLeo in Senate
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1710800,cullerton-deleo-senate-district-081109.article

Gov. Pat Quinn calls again for trustees to resign
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-u-of-i-clout-trustees-12-aug12,0,6028359.story

Daley to taxpayers: Increase is an ‘abatement’
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1711149,daley-chicago-property-tax-increase-081109.article

Comment by Pre Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 11:16 am
Matt - take the time off…If you decide to go off
into some dark corner where no one will find you, please let us know if you see our esteemed Senators. Nighty, night.

Comment by You Go Boy Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 11:21 am
==They know what impact their calls have, that is why they make the calls.==

I take it you’re not buying the “constituency service” defense.

Comment by Brennan Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 11:28 am
The blog needs a song today, more than ever.

Vanillaman, come out come out wherever you are…

Comment by Obamarama Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 11:45 am
I am in favor of all of the trustees resigning and being reappointed as the governor sees fit. I think Herman should resign and not be rehired under any circumstances. I think this was a completely avoidable scandal in a state which is historically corrupt and continues corrupt regardless of which party is in power.

Having said this, I wonder what legislators should say when approached by a constituent who feels that an applicant is not receiving fair consideration. After all, we expect our elected officials to look into problems we are having with state government. A legislator who routinely refuses requests to look into matters within the purview of state government might have trouble getting re-elected.

I think the problem is with the U. of I. employees who assumed that if legislator called they had to not only respond, but, apparently, in a number of cases give the kid a slot at the U. What if they had said no? These folks appear to have subscribed to the notion, all too common in (now, Pat Quinn’s) state government of you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. The admissions office staff should be fired as well.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 11:46 am
FYI - today’s Durbin feed sidebar article, “plan seeks to map out habitat for area species” is not about this Durbin, but is about San Antonio-based Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Durbin.

Comment by Bob Dylan Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 11:46 am
Constituency defense is great when a legislator is calling to find out why or what they can do to alleviate a problem a constituent has when the result is within the legal and ethical bounds that any other citizen could expect if government worked. For example: A citezen calls a legislator to find out why their insurance claim has not been paid or a vendor calls to find out why he hasn’t been paid within the reasonable time frame. The legislator makes the call to expedite or at least find out why what would have been expected by any citizen to happen has not happened. But when the call is to circumvent guidelines or rules that every other citizen has to abide by, then it crosses the line into unethical behavior.
There is gray area here, such as when the aprks were closed and citizens lobbied their legislators to overturn a decision made by the governor. This was a rule or guideline that some legislators fought against. However it was for more than one idividual and it was action against a rule or guideline thatthe legislators did not have a voice in.

Comment by Irish Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 11:50 am
Mike, relax…we just miss Rich - that’s all.

Comment by ??? Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 12:02 pm
Seriously Mike. You have done a stellar job filling in. Kevin would still be in bed right now.

Comment by the chief Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 12:05 pm
??? - LOL. No worries, I was just busting ur chops. I have very thick skin…

Chief, thx. Truer words have never been spoken… LOLOLOLOL

Comment by Mike Murray Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 12:09 pm
Re the U of I, I thought the Blago/Rezko/Law school storylines drew some blood. The members of the GA, not so much. Some got in, some didn’t.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 12:14 pm
What is the plan that Phelps & Bost have to save jobs?

Comment by jimbo Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 12:14 pm
===What are you Rod Blagojevich?===

What is the meaning of this comment?

Comment by Mike Murray Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 12:20 pm
Not sure if it got reported here yet or not, but yesterday the governor signed into law House Bill 35, Illinois Transparency and Accountability
Portal (ITAP).

It goes into effect on January 1st. However, if I’m reading it right, the web site doesn’t have to go online until 12 months after that.

Comment by Cheswick Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 12:20 pm
MIKE, I mean, not “Matt”…sorry.

Comment by You Go Boy Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 12:29 pm
Let’s turn the U of I over to SIU…that will save millions and reform the whole higher ed system.

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 12:32 pm
you go boy, u sound like my grandma. (She is getting up there in age and I have an older brother named Matt, so I am often called Matt as a result) lol

Comment by Mike Murray Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 12:37 pm
I agree that the employees of the Champaign office of admissions should be fired also,
Chancellor’s Herman’s office of Public Affairs has been running it’s own program around the Chancellor with admissions and other administrative matters. If he only knew who the boss really was.

Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 12:39 pm
Condolences to the Schakowsky and McLaughlin families.

Comment by ahem Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 12:55 pm
I would love a story about the cutting of the MAP funding for college students- these kids think their Financial aid is annual- it is only 6 months.

Comment by Inish Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 1:00 pm
Michael Murray, give me the passwords and I will update for you. THe show must go on!

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 1:06 pm
“Justice” for at least some the elected officials involved in the U of I Admissions matter may be taking a bit longer; but could be coming from the USAO in the form of a federal indictment using the ever popular “theft of honest services” provision of the criminal fraud statutes.

Nobody (at least here) knows what the Grand Jury has been up to this summer. The one thing we can all virtually count on, is that they are related to; or know someone that applied to U of I. This combined with being pissed off for being locked in a room with 12 angry men (so to speak) will not bode well for the referral returned.

Unfortunately for those elected officials this may come just in time for the “back to school special”.

Comment by Quinn T. Sential Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 1:08 pm
Apparently Commando Kirk is really piling up a lot of attention with his downstate
First there is this:
“Mark Kirk tweets may be violating campaigning rules…again
Sophia Madana on 08.11.09 | no comments |
Illinois Congressman, Mark Kirk may have tweeted into “questionable legal territory” again, according to Progress for Illinois.

The issue at hand is if Kirk’s Twitter page is an extension of his campaign, which it seems to be, then he may be violating the rule of campaigning on federal property by tweeting about visiting a Veterans Affairs hospital…..”

Then he did a private (invite only ) health care confab in Naperville

pst Comando you usually need to get south of I-80 to call it downstate.
Go get em TIGER

Kirk posted these tweets one after the other yesterday:

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 1:12 pm
Matt, I mean Mike, true, true. I used to laugh at my Granny for going down the line of names until she finally got it. Now it’s not so damn funny.

Comment by You Go Boy Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 1:32 pm
Brennan, ===I take it you’re not buying the “constituency service” defense.===
I’d buy it as long as the constituents weren’t also contributors. Should be easy enough to figure that out…..if ALL is made public.

Comment by Cranky Old Man Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 1:57 pm
=== if you see a story you would like to be up on the blog, you can throw it in comments for this post and I will include it in tomorrow’s posts. ===

Tomorrows news today?

:)

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 2:03 pm
Mike:
did you cover the Crain’s story on Madigan last week?
Did I miss it?

Comment by Inish Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 2:21 pm
===did you cover the Crain’s story on Madigan last week?===

Right here friend:
https://capitolfax.com/2009/08/03/madigans-legacy-and-other-stuff/

Comment by Obamarama Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 2:27 pm
Mike where is there a good place to stay in Springfield I am going to take two kids to the state fair.

Comment by fed up Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 2:29 pm
Fed up….Northfield center is about 2 miles from the state fair grounds. It is on Northfield drive which is behind the burger king on North Dirksen. You could also go out south on dirksen and there are 5 or six hotels there. (crown plaza, Holiday inn express, hampton and a few others) Downtown is the Hilton can’t miss it…only building you can see driving into Springfield. Hope this helps alittle.

Comment by Mike S Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 2:37 pm
Fed Up- LOL. What am I expedia? JK

But I have not stayed at any hotels in Sfield, I had my own apartment. However I do know some people who are going to the fair and are staying here:

http://www.hojo.com/HowardJohnson/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=09546

I believe it is the closest hotel to the state fair, but again I am not sure as to if it is a good hotel, price as compared to others etc.

Good luck in ur search

Comment by Mike Murray Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 2:39 pm
Can the State of illinois deny capital funds to any local government which refuses to allow video poker?

I wish they could and would.

Comment by anon sequitor Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 2:41 pm
===Can the State of illinois deny capital funds to any local government which refuses to allow video poker?===

No, but Quinn could tell IDOT to drag the projects out so that they take forever if he wanted to.

Comment by Mike Murray Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 2:43 pm
Fed Up, you take me down memory lane about 24 years ago when I first went to Springfield looking for an apartment.

The fair was on and the only hotel with a vacancy was the Bel-Aire on South Sixth. Despite the name, it didn’t really conjure up images of Southern California luxury.

There was a combination liquor/hardware store next door that I thought, in my youth, was pretty nifty.

The highlight/lowlight of the stay was the late-night peeper staring in the room through a gap in the curtains at me and my Special Lady Friend. I chased him down the stair for about a block, but he was faster.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 2:49 pm
Thanks The Wisconsin fair was really cool hopefully Ill. doesnt disapoint.

Comment by fed up Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 2:56 pm
Prediction: The video poker revenue will be so far under target next year that a bill will be floated to put slots at horse tracks to fund the capital bill — and it will pass.

Comment by Eli Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 2:57 pm
Mike how about Daley looking to raise taxes for the schools even though he has hundreds of millions in property taxes that were supposed to fund schools hidden away in TIF funds.

Comment by fed up Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 2:59 pm
===Mike how about Daley looking to raise taxes for the schools even though he has hundreds of millions in property taxes that were supposed to fund schools hidden away in TIF funds.===

He is saving that $$$ for infrastructure needs for the Olympics. Fran Spielman of the Sun Times has done a number of stories on this that I have thrown in MS when Rich was here. But maybe

Comment by Mike Murray Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 3:05 pm
Chancellor Herman, do you know what you’re getting for $178,000 out of public affairs?

Comment by the trustee Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 3:23 pm
Mike,
Is that your way of saying be careful what you post, one could easily be outed for their opinion? Perhaps we should use flag@whitehouse.gov as well. Oh well, somethings need to be said. You are doing a fine job BTW–this in and of it self is probably more than a full time job.

Best,
IP 66:30:4789

Comment by Orwell Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 3:37 pm
Has anyone noticed that when Rich left Vannie also disappeared? Could Rich actually BE VanillaMan? Just asking. LOL.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 3:54 pm
Is John Fritchey running for Claypools old seat? Just asking

Comment by g man Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 4:02 pm
{”I’m suggesting that we can do better with Dan Hynes, who commands throughout our government already and has that experience,” Stevenson said.}

Pick the best question that comes to mind after reading that quote:

(a) Should a field sobriety test be given prior to the realease of all political endorsements?

(b) Can ESL programs be made available as a refresher curriculum for native speakers?

(c) Should there be an age limit for endorsement makers, in order to save them from the ambarassment of their own use of words?

(d) Will there be a LaRouche candidate for Lieutenant Governor?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 4:13 pm
Mike
He is saving that $$$ for infrastructure needs for the Olympics. Fran Spielman of the Sun Times has done a number of stories on this that I have thrown in MS when Rich was here. But maybe

Mike Daley promised no tax money would be used for the Olympics. Either Daley doesnt know what the T in TIF is for or you may be calling him a liar.

Comment by fed up Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 4:16 pm
Circular,
If we turn U of I into SIU no one would need clout to get in. They take everybody. Plus, I’m sure all politicization of higher ed would immediately end under that paragon of virtue, Glenn Poshard.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 4:18 pm
Bill, I noticed that Rich/VM were both gone, too. I thought tmaybe they went on vay-cay together.

word, I had a similar problem the very first time I booked a hotel “as an adult” to start my first State gig. Well, of course I picked the place my parents always took me for fancy dinners when we visited here when I was a kid. Yeah, the St. Nick. The hot & cold running hookers were almost as charming as the guy a couple floors up who peed out his window like clockwork every two hours.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 4:49 pm
Hey guys and gals!

I decided to relax and take some time off too. I pulled up the laptop and took a gander and saw Obamarama’s request for a song. I’ve been working on my tan and drinking some High Life or PBR as the VanillaTwins splash in the pool and scream with delight. The rest of the VanillaBrood are having a great time too. I have to be careful, and avoid getting any sand in the laptop, or drip sweat, beer or condensation into the keyboard.

It has been a totally crazy month, and my head spins trying to make sense of it all - so I’m glad to have you folks around! I want to say that everything will work out, but I’m going to need a lot more beer, first.

Oh - about that song…imagine you are hearing Al Green’s sexiness and you are on a beach with a brew too…

Smooth Operator - Sade, enhanced by VanillaMan

Elected life, to enjoy.
You fly first class, don’t want no sass, your answers are coy.
Town Hall fights over Health Care rights.
When voters are mad, claim they are bad un-American whites.

No place for consciences or ethical votes.
Emanuel demands nothing is left to chance.
Just jam Obamacare right down their throats.

You laugh while they ask! - cuz’
You’re a smooth operator,
smooth operator,
smooth operator,
smooth operator.

Coast to coast, across every channel, sell that tale!
While across the land, anger grows and voters wail.

Face to face, in every case.
You shadow box and double cross,
to pass this in haste.
Claim nothing to fear, private insurance to hold.
It’s for the kids! With Soylent Green for the old.
Claim you won’t steal and that you are bold.

Then dart out back, cuz’
You’re a smooth operator,
smooth operator,
smooth operator,
smooth operator.

The polls show you’re toast, but you don’t fear.
Cuz’ you get cash and calls from Big Pharma and Insurance for next year.

You’re a Smooth Operator,
smooth operator,
smooth operator,
smooth operator,
smooth operator…

See you when Rich comes back!

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 5:01 pm
Blago is looking to earn some cold hard cash, have him take over Capitol Fax for a day or so.
Come on Rich your both BUS BUDDIES from a couple years ago.
And I mean tight.

Comment by Northside Bunker Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 5:08 pm
AA, hope you found some filled shoeboxes.

By the way, after my stay at the Bel-Aire, I rented a room at the Cordova, 5th and South Grand (I believe the building is still standing, but long boarded up).

Close to the Dome, $150 a month and the cuckarachas were free and plentiful.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 5:12 pm
America’s Best on First Street always has rooms no matter what and they have free fruit loops for breakfast.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 5:18 pm
Just saw Adlai on the news, and the guy looks and sounds pretty sharp for a man of 78. Good for him.

Bill, I thought the only admission requirement for SIU was a willingness to live in a clearing in the woods with a two boy for every girl ratio (Bizarro Surf City).

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 5:19 pm
I thought the only requirement for SIU was an application copied from someone else!

Comment by In the Sticks Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 5:31 pm
BiggMurr
I am surprised you did not tout Capt. Fax’s lakeside villa & compound for the out of towners
He’ll never know

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 6:18 pm
Good stuff, VanillaFriend!

Comment by Obamarama Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 6:20 pm
AFSCME looking to support/endorse 3rd party candidates or independents, and NO FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO the Dems and Repubs. Quinn has betrayed us along with Fritchey and countless others voting NO on any tax increase to sustain decent state government.
Thank God for the union, all non-union state employees being forced to take 12 furlough days by June 31, 2010.

Comment by state employee Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 8:26 pm
Actually, yeah, what about the Blago 3,000 I hope they at least have forced furlough. They should all be let go immediately. Quinn is perpetuating the corrupt status quo and waste!!!!

Comment by state employee Wednesday, Aug 12, 09 @ 8:34 pm
Now with that SERS pension safely upgraded into the GARS program:

Hannig won’t run
State Rep. BETSY HANNIG, D-Litchfield, says that some people are urging her to seek a full two-year term in the House in the 2010 election, but she’s not anticipating making such a run.

“That’s not something I’m going to do,” Hannig said this week.

Comment by Quinn T, Sential Thursday, Aug 13, 09 @ 1:00 am
4M; are you awake and watching Griffey Jr. blow away Buehrle’s classic performance in the bottom of the 14th?

OUCH!

Comment by Quinn T, Sential Thursday, Aug 13, 09 @ 1:03 am
-Thank God for the union, all non-union state employees being forced to take 12 furlough days by June 31, 2010-

Yep, I have to take furlough days, but at least I didn’t get my lay off papers. I wonder if the hundreds of corrections people would trade their lay off for a furlough option?

Comment by Neal Thursday, Aug 13, 09 @ 8:48 am