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* I always had a huge amount of respect for Gary Hannig when he was in the House, and he appears to be doing a good job at IDOT, but he needs to get himself out of local politics right now.

From Crain’s…

A political fundraiser featuring Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig has been abruptly cancelled amid apparent concerns that it violated at least the spirit of new state ethics laws.

Mr. Hannig Tuesday morning pulled out of the event for state Sen. Michael Bond, D-Grayslake, after higher ups in Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration expressed concerns about the event. The cancellation came after I phoned both officials Monday evening with questions about the event.

A spokeswoman for both the governor and Mr. Hannig declined to go into details, but confirmed that the decision was “a combination” of views of both Mr. Hannig and the administration.

The invitation to the event highlighted the attendance of Mr. Hannig, whose department controls billions of dollars in highway contracts, and Michael Sturino, president of the Illinois Road & Transportation Builders Assn., whose members compete to get those contracts.

There is absolutely no excuse for this. A fundraiser co-sponsored by the road builders? Sheesh. Didn’t he learn anything from Rod Blagojevich? Wait. Never mind. Apparently, he did. The wrong thing.

To be clear here, I have no issue with the road builders doing a funder for Bond. They have interests like everybody else. And I seriously doubt that the law pointed to in the Crain’s story was even close to being violated. That’s more of a political charge from Bond’s GOP opponent than anything else. Hannig, however, should’ve seen the inherent conflict there. Sen. Bond should’ve seen this as well. No excuses. Period.

My other concern is that Hannig’s behavior is becoming a pattern. Secretary Hannig has been involved in more than just the Michael Bond campaign of late. He was deeply involved with getting his wife appointed to his House seat and numerous local sources say his fingerprints are all over the developing disaster for Democrats in that district. Hannig pushed retired county coroner Charles Landers into the race over the objections of local Dems and has now imperiled Democratic control of the seat.

Landers is not exactly an ideal candidate. For instance, he quit in the middle of his term last summer partly so he could spend more time out of state…

Another reason Landers is retiring is so he and his wife, Kay, can visit their son, Craig, who is attending graduate school in California, more often.

There’s much more to this story, as I’ve been telling subscribers for the past several weeks. But take it from me that it’s a freaking mess down in Macoupin. And much of the blame falls squarely on Secretary Hannig.

Again, I think he’s done a good job at IDOT. But Hannig really needs to come to terms with the fact that he’s now a statewide official.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 1:09 pm

Comments

Wow. I doubt this kind of thing would be happening if the late, great Vince Demuzio was still alive. I’m guessing his wife doesn’t rule with the same iron fist that he did.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 1:31 pm
–A spokeswoman for both the governor and Mr. Hannig declined to go into details, but confirmed that the decision was “a combination” of views of both Mr. Hannig and the administration.–

A combination of views? What a meaningless statement.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 1:36 pm
Certainly the chessmaster will get this mess straightened out–the Dems can’t be serious about running Landers in a seat they have controlled for 30 years.

Comment by Easy Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 1:40 pm
They are usually pretty savvy politically. You would think the Road Builders would have advised Senator Bond and/or Secretary Hannig regarding the wisdom of the Secretary’s appearance at a fundraiser they are co-sponsoring.

Comment by GA Watcher Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 1:53 pm
I received this invitation via email. I sent it to the trash so quickly that i didnt really take the time to be offended. Wait…here it comes…OH THE NERVE!

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 2:16 pm
The Road Builders are running an ad on Chicago TV that talks about “full funding” for the capital bill. What’s up with that? I thought it was funded (albeit with video poker, liquor taxes and vehicle fees — and hung up in court).

Did I miss something?

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 2:28 pm
I thought Director of Transportation was a full time job plus. He aparrently also finds time to run the Macoupin County Dem party also.

Comment by downstate hick Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 2:52 pm
47th-

The capital bill revenue projections are falling short of the commitments that were made, partly because of the communities that are opting out of video poker, but also because of a flat economy.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 3:00 pm
===I thought Director of Transportation was a full time job plus. He aparrently also finds time to run the Macoupin County Dem party also.===

I bet he occasionally eats and sleeps as well. What a senseless comment. From a “time” standpoint, this is ONE event. As far as running the Macoupin Democratic Organization goes… there are only 50,000(ish) people in the whole county. It’s not exactly the Cook organization.

If you are accusing him of prohibited political activities while on the job, come out and say so. If not, save the guilt by innuendo rhetoric for a different blog; it’s insulting.

Comment by Obamarama Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 3:00 pm
Clarification: I am not defending Hannig’s decision to go along with this–merely the logic of the aforementioned comment.

Comment by Obamarama Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 3:02 pm
Thanks Six Degrees,

So what’s up with the ad? Is there something they hope to move in veto this week?

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 3:22 pm
47th-

It won’t necessarily move in veto, but something needs to move soon in spring session at least. There are capital and mini-capital projects waiting for bonding authority right now, and next construction season.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 5:58 pm
“My other concern is that Hannig’s behavior is becoming a pattern….He was deeply involved with getting his wife appointed to his House seat and numerous local sources say his fingerprints are all over the developing disaster for Democrats in that district. Hannig pushed retired county coroner Charles Landers into the race over the objections of local Dems and has now imperiled Democratic control of the seat”.

Rich, why is it so important to you that the Democrats retain “control of the seat”? Want to concede a bias?

Comment by Bobs yer Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 8:27 pm
Six, what exactly won’t necessarily move in veto?

I guess I was hoping to learn enough to know if I should make the trip tomorrow or not. That’s all.

I’m sure the ad could be part of a branding campaign or something innocuous like that. Could be something else too.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 10:00 pm
The States need to look into this.

Comment by Springfieldwatcher Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 10:07 pm
why in the world would Bond & his operation do this?? they should have known better too…

Comment by say what Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 10:22 pm
For clarification Hannig lives in Montgomery County and not Macoupin so why he would be a factor is beyond me within the macoupin party … Vince carried him along after some of his early youthful indiscretions as a Rep.

Sorry “say what” but i think you are giving Bond and his “operation” a lot more credit that it deserves.

Comment by well then Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 6:23 am