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Question of the day

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* A State Journal-Register reporter is sending around an e-mail asking various folks to help them put together a piece about the most important news events of the past decade. Here’s a list of suggestions from the e-mail…

Gov. Rod Blagojevich is arrested and later impeached and removed from office

Former state Sen. Barack Obama is elected President of the United States

Then-Gov. George Ryan clears Illinois’ death row

George Ryan issues a moratorium on executions that lasts for the decade

George Ryan is indicted and goes to prison for corruption

A shooting at the state Capitol claims the life of a security guard and prompts new security measures

Control of state government and the legislature switches from Republicans to Democrats

Budget problems plague state government throughout the decade

The legislature and Blagojevich break several overtime records for session with continued fighting

Longtime legislative leaders Pate Philip, Lee Daniels and Emil Jones hand over the reins of power to successors

Democrats take supermajority control of the state Senate and one seat shy of a supermajority in the House

Gov. Pat Quinn proposes a 50 percent income tax increase to fix budget holes, but lawmakers refuse to support it

Lawmakers end a 10-year standoff and approve a $31 billion capital construction program

Legislators end public outrage over soaring electric rates by approving a relief plan that reduces sharp increases after a 10-year rate freeze

The state’s pension debt grows astronomically, topping $70 billion by the end of the decade

Lawmakers approve the state’s first caps on campaign contributions to political campaigns in the wake of Blagojevich’s arrest

A smoking ban in public places forces smokers at bars, restaurants and public places outside to light up

* The Question, Part 1: Is there anything missing from this list?

* The Question, Part 2: What do you think are the top four or five state politics events of the decade? Explain.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 12:45 pm

Comments

1. obama election
2. ryan-higher because his failure blew up the state gop and lead to blago.
3. Blago fall
3a. Blago rise-he didn’t make letterman for beating jim ryan
4. democrat dominance of state
5. L’affaire Ryan (jack)

Comment by shore Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 12:53 pm
Jim Edgar leaving elected office (remember the tears).

Lisa Madigan becoming AG

Just the re-emergence of a Pat Quinn, from Treasurer, to loser to GHR, to gadfly, to tag-a-long LG, to the highest office in IL.

In the same vain as PQ - the Roland Burris saga, losing, lobbyist, to the most controversial appointment to the senate in recent memory.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 12:58 pm
Boone’s closed.

Comment by Scooby Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:01 pm
Explaining … Edgar leaving elected office and the impact in the last 10 years of the void yet to be filled by the GOP & how he is so beloved, yet he can not get that “love” to rub off on others

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:01 pm
What’s missing:
Capitol Fax temporarily changes format throwing the 9-5 of the state’s politicos into confusion and disarray.

Tops:
1. Obama election
2. Blago impeachment/indictment
3. The fall of George Ryan
4. The fall of the ILGOP under Andy McKenna
5. Hired Truck

Comment by Obamarama Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:04 pm
Very funny, Obamarama, very funny.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:07 pm
1. Blago impeached/removed from office — no explanation necessary.
2. George Ryan convicted, imprisoned. Without Blago this would have been story #1 or close to it, but in retrospect it pales in comparison.
3. Ryan’s death penalty actions — they had a nationwide ripple effect and arguably turned the tide against the death penalty in other states as well.
4. Democrat control of both houses and executive branch offices, which led directly to many of the other events cited.
5. Mushrooming budget deficit, plunge toward California-esque fiscal disaster — not on the list but should be (and probably will be for the NEXT decade).

I do not include Obama’s election because that is more of a national story than a specifically state political story.

Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:11 pm
ryan lead to blago. I think it has to be higher.

change in media has to have some place.

you might add fall of hastert since an Illinois speaker is not an every day thing.

Comment by shore Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:12 pm
Missing: Obama delivers keynote at the Democratic National Convention

Obama Election
Blago gets tossed
Dems take over all state constitutional offices
George Ryan convicted
State Budget mess

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:15 pm
The Cubs near miss at the World Series has to rank in the top 10.

Comment by True Observer Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:16 pm
5 - Not in any order;

* Obama - really?
* Blago - all of it as one story to get 4 other headlines.
* Jack! - one of the Obama Dominoes to the WH.
* Emil getting veto-proof - the Blago connection too.
* The ILGOP becoming MIA - 1994 is long gone, & this decade’s piling on with loss after loss.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:17 pm
Q1. Is there anything missing from this list?

Yes,

A1. The IL GOP selection of Alan Keyes for U.S. Senate was, without a doubt, the biggest political blunder in Illinois political history.

Comment by Will County Woman Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:17 pm
the decline of the print media–the shrinking of the press room –and the rise of the new media such as capitol fax and its blog

Comment by publius Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:27 pm
I forgot to add…

The George Ryan pie in the face during a press conference thingy. Not even Blago got a pie to face.
George Ryan has an imposing physical presence—he’s tall and big man. yet, some little twig of woman manages to get a pie off that hits him dead in the face.

also,

the time Blago, Madigan, Daley, Jones, and Cross and/or Watson all met at the JRTC and Daley abruptly and angrily stormed out the meeting to return to City Hall.

finally,

the 2016 Olympic bid billed a boom for the state–especially the chicago metro area, but turned out to be a big bust foreshadowing (what may very well be) the end of the Daley reign.

Comment by Will County Woman Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:34 pm
Could be on list, for amusement…
1) Blago arrest brings an unforeseable, almost refreshing silence to JJJ.
2) Betty Loren Maltese actually looks alright without makeup. In Arizona.

Top story, seriously, is: George Ryan is indicted and goes to prison. And almost a surprising outcome in light of the high powered attorney team representing Ryan and the weird sympathy for Ryan’s wife. Geez - remember Dick Durbin going to bat?

Comment by KeepSmiling Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:40 pm
The most important story concerning Illinois is the O.K. on O’Hare Expansion.

Comment by True Observer Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:44 pm
Big media bankruptcies spreading to Illinois ought to be on the list.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:54 pm
The closing of Meigs in the middle of the night!

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 1:58 pm
The fall of the Illinois GOP is the biggy.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 2:10 pm
If the list was to include a snarky item or two then Blago refering to the beatdown vote on his GRT in the House as an “up day” ranks.

Comment by Bluefish Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 2:22 pm
I must be missing something, because the question nominally asks for biggest news events of the last 10 years, and nobody refers to the events of 9/11/2001? Or the news that Pakistani scientist(s) sold franchises in their nuclear program to other nations, including North Korea? Or the second invasion of Iraq? I could go on, but this is too easy. I must somehow not be understanding the question.

Comment by Thomas Westgard Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 2:44 pm
Missing: P. Fitz and his role in the reshaping of State Government.

Top 5:
5) State Repubs crater.
4) Obama.
3) State Finances crater.
2) Dem takeover of State government.
1) Embarrassment called Blago.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 2:45 pm
Okay, I’ll add one more because it’s colossal - the global financial meltdown of 2008-2009. How are these left off the list?

Comment by Thomas Westgard Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 2:45 pm
I assume it’s just related to Illinois politics, because otherwise you could add tons of stuff. 2005 World Series, Browns Chicken murders, etc.

Comment by Scooby Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 2:52 pm
Thomas, I’m pretty sure it’s asking about Illinois stories. So, you’d be missing that.

Comment by Concerned Observer Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 2:54 pm
===2005 World Series===

Well, how about this? A World Series champion baseball coach spoke to the Illinois House and Senate. There’s your state angle.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 2:56 pm
===How are these left off the list?===

Because Rich asked for events in state politics.

Comment by Obamarama Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 2:56 pm
AA, good call on Pat Fitz. The Era of Big Heat is still on.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 3:01 pm
Peter Fitzgerald’s 2000 filibuster against the a massive federal spending bill because it included funds for the Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield which the Il GOP failed to put out for competitive bidding; and after Sept 11th when he voted against a bailout for the airlines which were already in financial trouble, standing as the lone vote, noting “Who will bail out the American taxpayer,” arguing that the airlines would simply go through the money and remain financially unstable.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 3:09 pm
I agree with Scooby….Boone’s Closing….it was a SAD SAD day

Comment by APatron Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 3:14 pm
Peter appointing Patrick. The rest, shall we say, is history. If that doesn’t happen, does Peter run again in 2004? Does Obama win or even run in 2004 if Peter runs for re-election?

Comment by Anon Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 3:17 pm
===If that doesn’t happen, does Peter run again in 2004?===

That decision was more about money than anything else.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 3:20 pm
==That decision was more about money than anything else. ==

Yes, and my understanding is the lack of money and support for some traces back to the U.S. Attorney dispute, among others.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 3:23 pm
Q1: Is there anything missing from this list?
A1: It’s not Top 10 material, but the moving the date of the primary election is of significance.

Q2: What do you think are the top four or five state politics events of the decade?
A2:

5. George Ryan is indicted and goes to prison for corruption
4. Then-Gov. George Ryan issues a moratorium on executions and clears Illinois’ death row
3. Gov. Rod Blagojevich is arrested and later impeached and removed from office
2. Former state Sen. Barack Obama is elected President of the United States
1. The City of Chicago repeals the prohibition of foie gras

– MrJM
http://twitter.com/misterjayem

Comment by MrJM Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 3:23 pm
===2005 World Series===

Prior to 2005, the last time a Chicago team won the Kaiser ruled in Berlin, the Czar in St. Petersburg and the Sultan in Constantinople.

So it’s a big story.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 3:31 pm
===my understanding is the lack of money and support for some traces back to the U.S. Attorney dispute, among others. ===

Maybe a little. Fitzgerald never could raise money. The vast majority of his cash came from his own pocket, and that left him with a huge debt. After he was elected, Senate GOP leadership asked him to lead efforts to raise money from fat cats. He failed miserably. He knew he’d have to dip into his pocket again in 2004, and that led directly to his decision.

He got out pretty fast as well, and he never seemed to enjoy the Senate. There’s more, but I don’t blame it all - or even most - on McKenna and his ilk. If he was afraid of a guy who ended up finishing fourth, then he didn’t have much guts.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 3:40 pm
It seems the list is mostly regarding political issues but I re-read the question - maybe I am not getting it. I believe some horrific crimes could fit the bill here, as well.

Anyway - howsabout the solving of the Brown’s Chicken murders and the subsequent convictions of the monsters who perpetrated it. Along with the eventual “solving” of the Nicarico murder (no thanks to Jim Ryan) and subsequent sentencing of the true perpetrator to death.

Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 3:44 pm
Rich -

I’m glad you mentioned the media bankruptcies, but I’d put a finer point on it by noting the decline of statehouse reporting, underscored by the loss of so many talented statehouse reporters.

Since you said political stories, not just state political stories, I’d mention three inter-twined stories:

1) Patrick Fitzgerald
2) The decline of patronage armies
3) Mayor Daley’s weakening grip on the City Council, City of Chicago, and some say his own office.

I’d rank the stories in this order:

1) Obama
2) Patrick Fitzgerald (Ryan, Blagojevich, Daley investigations)
3) State budget woes
4) End of the GOP era in Illinois
5) Mayor Daley’s long farewell

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 3:59 pm
and it’s not an “event” per se, but the rise of the Latino/Latina voting community as a political force, especially in the suburbs, is an important political trend with far-reaching consequences.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 4:37 pm
But Norb’s reopened.

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 4:42 pm
A variant on the media angle: Conrad Black milks the Sun-Times dry, sent to jail.

Comment by Boone Logan Square Thursday, Dec 10, 09 @ 9:36 pm