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JBT held a press conference today about allegations that the Blagojevich administration was skirting the state’s veterans preference rules in order to place politically connected types in coded civil service jobs. Let’s skip the blah-blah-blah about how she is so shocked and saddened about the alleged misconduct and head straight to her proposed solutions (from a press release):
* Veterans’ Preference Certification: Topinka proposes adding a certification requirement to state civil service hiring that compels the employing agency to certify that the veteran preference laws have been followed and that no veteran has been illegally or improperly passed over for the job in question. Currently, an employing agency already must certify in writing that the agency has fully complied with the Rutan ruling in a hiring decision or that the position in question is Rutan exempt. The Veterans’ Preference Certification simply would be incorporated into the existing Rutan certification process.* Veterans’ Hiring Compliance Panel: Topinka proposes the creation of a Veterans’ Hiring Compliance Panel based in the Lt. Governor’s Office to scrutinize all records related to employment practices in state agencies. The Panel would have access to a list of all open civil service positions, as well as the names, resumes, grades, and test results for all applicants to ensure that the Veterans’ Preference is consistently and legally applied. The Panel would consist of: the Lt. Governor or his or her representative; the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs or his or her representative; and an independent appointee of the Governor who will be a veteran or veteran’s activist from outside government.
Thoughts?
UPDATE: From the wires:
Blagojevich’s campaign said if Topinka supported veterans she would back his veterans’ health care program.
UPDATE 2: The guv’s people are pushing this line a lot right now, and Quinn is reportedly gearing up for a major slam on JBT.
Topinka said that while Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn should be complimented for making veterans a priority, she said something more substantive, such helping veterans get jobs, has to be done.“I don’t want this to sound — you know — bad, but I mean you have to do more than just go to funerals,” she said.
Nix called those comments “flip and mean-spirited.”
The guv’s campaign does need to be a little careful that they don’t allow themselves to overreact to Topinka’s goofy statement since JBT’s own son is in the armed forces and served in Afghanistan.
The vets’ healthcare plan only costs about $5 million GRF right now, with more money provided by a special lottery game, so this is a fair hit on Topinka, who wants pay raises for non-union state workers that would cost a whole lot more. And how much would it cost to find jobs for vets? If you’re going to claim the mantle of “No” then you should say “no” to everyone.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 2:45 pm
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here’s your (mine, anyway) indication that judy has access to the voter vault and plans to micro-target…
Comment by bored now Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 2:50 pm
Great idea. Get out front on government reform in this critical area. Not sure why the Dems didn’t jump on that earlier. As a Dem, I’m disappointed we didn’t.
Comment by statehouse shark Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 3:01 pm
Just briefly reading through it, it gives the Lt. Governor more duties which could prove to be very effective since the Office of the Lt. Governor deals with Military Affairs anyway.
I’ve always thought that the Lt Governor’s position is way too vague and does not include the Lt. Governor in the operations of state government. However, this brief proposal seems to change that.
Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 3:06 pm
This is a good move for a few reasons.
1.) It makes dissing veterans an issue.
2.) It recognises the positive impact Pat Quinn has had on veteran’s issues.
3.) It is simple to implement.
4.) It states that if we are serious about veteran’s preferences in hiring, then we will demonstrate it in writing.
5.) It knocks all these complainers on how Topinka doesn’t give details.
6.) If the proposed solution doesn’t work in some way, the issue is small enough not to become blow back during the campaign.
7.) We have a war going on; veteran’s votes are worth the effort. It looks better to work with veterans while your opponent makes news on how he skirted them instead.
It worked.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 3:11 pm
Proably the reason Dems didn’t jump on this is Blago is the one violating the rules.Oh did I mention he’s a Democrat.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 3:18 pm
About time she uses the free press!!!
Comment by Wheres the leadership??? Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 3:23 pm
You know, I’m shocked no one has mentioned this potential issue. First, I’m a Democrat and I’m not a veteran.
Here’s a question for you to ponder (for those of you who have friends on both sides of aisle):
How many Republican veterans do you know?
How many Democrat veterans do you know?
I’ll bet those numbers are pretty different.
The reason, kids, that veterans preferences are a problem for the Democrats, is that there just aren’t that many Democrat veterans. That makes it hard for a Democrat to make it into State government.
As unpopular as it may seem, it’s probably time to revisit the veterans preference issue. As I see it the veterans preference is discriminatory.
Comment by The Fatman Cometh Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 3:27 pm
Fatman, you really don’t know whereof you speak. Skirting vets preference has been an issue for years. This isn’t about whether a vet is a Dem or a GOP, but whether the powers that be get “their” guy into a particular job slot.
Let’s get back to the topic at hand, shall we?
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 3:31 pm
Well, my first impression is I was underwhelemed, because this certification should have been going on already, it’s in the existing rules. In that regard it’s like the arguments about existing gun laws neeeding more enforcement before we create new ones. Or if you’re going to boost the amount of scrutiny on it, why shouldn’t that be directly under either Veterans Affairs or Department of Employment Security, or some joint operation between them? Isn’t that THEIR territory? Oh, I forgot, under Blago, they’ve been turned into campaign branch offices and are not doing their assigned jobs. I’m only pointing out that the job should be done with existing resources to prevent a duplication of effort. If we are essentially admitting the responsible agencies have all dropped the ball and we have to give this job to the Lt. Gov because the agencies can’t be trusted, then we have a bigger problem to solve.
I have to say yay Judy for making some kind of effort. She is smart to leverage off of Quinn’s work. I wonder if Quinn will come out publicly for this or not, further distancing himself from Blago? I think he should define his current office as well as possible before he moves on, up, or out.
Comment by Gregor Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 3:43 pm
Frankly the real issue at hand is the veterans’ preference itself and like statutes. Preferences are hype run amok…they rarely if ever end up doing the job they are supposed to. Some vets are on the payroll doing jobs they aren’t qualified to hold, but for the preference gave them enough points to qualify. On the other hand, a goodly number of highly qualified non-veterans have to be passed by to meet the requirements of the statute. My suggestion is to do away with all the preference points and hire the most qualified person…period.
Comment by Common Sense in Illinois Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 3:45 pm
I like the idea of involving the Lt. Governor’s office in all of this. Why not give that office more responsibility and it makes someone accountable at the same time.
Louis G. Atsaves
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 3:47 pm
Since I got swiped by the man himself, I will point out Judy has a very solid plan. Strangely the best Lt. Governor to actually deal with this issue may be Quinn. I know a lot of vets who really like the guy.
Comment by The Fatman Cometh Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 3:54 pm
If Judy wins, she should appoint Pat Quinn to head up the efforts (will never happen).
Comment by Niles Township Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 4:07 pm
Why should Judy appoint Pat Quinn? For all his hard work, he has been a no show on this.
Comment by Rico Shakman aka Wumpus Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 4:29 pm
Hard to bash JBT as anti-veteran when her own son IS a veteran.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 4:35 pm
Common Sense — the current situation is even worse than you think. There’s no “point advantage”, there’s an ABSOLUTE preference. If you apply for the job and meet the minimum requirements - e.g., college degree, you stand in line ahead of every non-veteran, regardless of other qualifications! The non-vet have 20 years of relevant experience - doesn’t matter. The vet can’t add to save his/her life - doesn’t matter. The vet has no people skills, no writing skills, etc. - DOESN’T MATTER. Absolute preference if the minimum CMS requirements have been met.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 4:48 pm
I don’t agree with veterans preference being applied to an all volunteer military as we have had for almost 30 years now.
Comment by Anon Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 5:16 pm
I was blocked from being considered by an agency that wouldn’t give me the test required for the job. Technically, the agency complied with the letter of the law since I wasn’t a qualified candidate. But the only qualification I was missing was passing the test which the agency wouldn’t let me take.
So, I hope JBT’s proposal doesn’t allow agencies to cheat veterans in this manner.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 5:49 pm
Topinka needs to be more careful with cracks about the funerals, etc. Quinn is totally innoculated in this issue, and it makes more sense to point out the fact he’s been working alone on the fringe o this administration for these constituents since the beginning, Rod is a latecomer to the party, swooping in to hog some camera time after Pat has done all the hard work without complaint and without notice.
Veteran’s preference is supposed to be the final deciding factor between two otherwise well-qualified candidates.
Between veteran’s preference and campaign donor proference, I’ll stick with people who have proven they can do a job and have honor. Right now, those criteria restrict Blago’s entire crew to an Army of One: Pat Quinn.
Comment by Gregor Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 5:53 pm
Every time she opens her mouth, she says something dumb.
Attending the funerals of fallen veterans is a big deal. It’s a big deal to the families and it’s a big deal to the vets. How many has she attended?
Pig!
Comment by B Hicks Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 6:07 pm
The fundamental problem with State government is its Personnel function which is a failure. There is no desire to fix it, as it seems to work well for those who run it.
Managers have told new hires: “Look, we are hiring two engineers. I get to hire one and the Governor’s Office gets to hire the other one. So I’m going to need you to do the work of two people, you understand that?”
Or because when the State hires managers, the jobs are not placed in the newspaper or on the Internet, they are placed on a few bulletin boards, and the State’s Intranet for a mere five days, or maybe four and a half. So Managers literally will call around on their own to get someone to come in interview, because “I am scared of who personnel will send over if I don’t shake the bushes for a few decent qualified candidates.” A personnel system where 1/2 of hires are not expected to work and where managers fear the dysfunctional personnel function.
I meet a gentleman in college who told me: “I didn’t know how to type when I applied; my degree is in political science. But my daddy plugged me in through politics, he dropped my application off at Republican HQ…I guess political science and computer science is easily confused in the State’s personnel system. And it has been a couple years and my wife and I have a baby now, so I thought taking a computer class at night would get me out of the house.”
Or in another instance we interviewed five of eight candidates and ranked them 1 to 5, with 1 being the most desirable and 5 the least, and there was a range of salary to play with in the budget. But you know, our time was wasted as the hiring was done by personnel, not the manager who needed the work done. So personnel hired candidate 5 at the maximum salary, because these two ladies knew each other outside the office socially.
Look at the hiring website of Arizona and Florida and compare it to our system. We need to take a serious look at our State’s personnel function. Job’s should go to the individual a Manager wants to hire to get the job done. Jobs should be posted so the public can bid on them. And yes, that should mean posting to the internet. And five days posting for manager positions…ha ha, what a sick joke on the taxpayer. It is the failure of the State to hire managers which prevents it from effectively carrying out its duties.
Oh, and what happens when someone gets a call from a bush shaking manager and then gets a call from a Personnel function which wants to sell the job to someone else, or give it to an old family friend, …they offer you the lowest possible salary for the job position regardless of your education training and experience. An organization will seldom succeed beyond the capabilities of its managers, and neither party seems to be offering us much. The thing which surprises me is the public thinks hiring Veterans is some kind of law or policy. It was just a campaign gimmick, they were joking; it is not how Illinois does government. It is like saying “The Lottery funds go to educationâ€â€¦
Alan
Comment by Alan Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 8:00 pm
Rich,
Isn’t Daley’s kid in the Armed Forces also? If so, I wonder how much he likes Blago hosing vets?
B Hicks - With some of your comments, maybe you are JBT’s speech writer or at least tell her what to say.
Comment by Buck Flagojevich Monday, Jul 10, 06 @ 11:49 pm
Judy snatched defeat from the jaws of victory on this one. Pat Quinn’s only downside is his association with Blagojevich.
Rich, how about a QOTD - Should there be a veteran’s preference? Why/not?
Comment by TaxEater1818 Tuesday, Jul 11, 06 @ 1:49 am