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* House Speaker Michael Madigan’s press secretary Steve Brown reacting to Gov. Pat Quinn’s angry denunciation of the pricey Statehouse renovations…
“It looks like the governor’s a couple days late, possibly jet-lagged from his trip to Japan, because he took his usual Sunday morning press conference cheap shot and did it on a Tuesday afternoon.”
Ouch.
* And not everybody is up in arms about the alleged scandal…
A spokeswoman for Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), whose office is in the newly renovated wing, defended the expenditures and the project, in general.
“At this point in time, any spending on anything can be made to look extravagant,” Radogno spokeswoman Patty Schuh said. “But this is part of a long-term, long-range maintenance and restoration plan for a historical building that has 200,000 people in it every year. The bulk of the project is the beyond-necessary mechanical fixes, ADA access and life-safety and fire code requirements.”
* Meanwhile, there’s more than a little doubt that the governor’s “suspension” of funding for more Statehouse construction actually means anything…
“It’s up to the governor whether to make that money available for bidding and construction purposes,” Blanchette said. “And that’s what he’s doing, is holding up the release of funding for items that have already been placed in the budget by the General Assembly, until such time as things can be carefully examined.”
But no money has actually been appropriated for the north wing yet. So is anything actually being halted?
“No, there’s nothing to stop at this point,” UIS Political Science Professor Kent Redfield said.
Redfield believes this was a purely political move by the governor.
“It’s election season, and the state is having a lot of really bad fiscal problems,” Redfield said. “And so this becomes an issue that you can be against it, and particularly since you can’t have any impact on what’s happened, then it’s a pretty easy thing to take a public stand on it.”
…Adding… I forgot to post this one…
Former White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley, who’s also trying to win the Democratic nomination for governor, says Quinn is ultimately responsible.
“The problem with the governor’s action is, he was asleep at the switch when all this funding was approved,” says Daley’s campaign manager, Tom Bowen. “So this action is typical of Gov. Quinn: too little, too late, reacting to a mistake that’s already been made.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 10:23 am
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And the ridiculousness on this topic continues. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This is a non-issue. But it’s good politics I guess.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 10:26 am
Funny how the Governor touts his “jobs” program at every opportunity. It consists of capital spending some of which could be called extravagant if viewed under a microscope. Now he decries such spending on the Statehouse. How different is it really? Once again the Governor changes his tune when the political winds shift.
Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 10:30 am
Good on Radogno for not succumbing to the faux populist outrage.
My Doors quote of the day is:
“The future’s uncertain and the end is always near.”
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 10:35 am
Nobody whacks someone quite as artfully and efficiently as Steve Brown. I doff my hat in salute.
Comment by LincolnLounger Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 10:38 am
=== cheap shot ===
A bit ironic, coming from Brown.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 10:40 am
They are historically accurate doors, made to last a hundred years. Amortize that.
Instead, lets be outraged over 13 people indicted for embezzling $16 MIL. Thats what deserves outrage and scrutiny.
Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 10:43 am
Funny.
Comment by Bottom Line Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 10:44 am
Agreed.
It is nice that the individuals who have had their funding cut for life-altering public services can now walk through bronzed doors on their way to protest those cuts.
They can move past the “maidens” on their way to lobby their legislator.
And have that conversation underneath the new chandeliers in private office space.
While reflecting on the tone-deaf nature of making these purchases while funding for things like medically fragile children, their children, is being cut.
And in terms of spending the proceeds from our “Build Illinois” Bond sales? In terms of capital funding priorities?
I’m sure every penny is being spent with equal care and caution, independent of special interests or pet projects.
Not like the Governor’s mansion could have used any repairs while we’re at it. Or a million other projects. Sheesh.
Timing matters. Symbols matter.
Even if they were worth every penny, these doors are a now symbol bigger than just themselves.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 10:51 am
That Brown is hilarious.
Speaking of hilarious, maybe he can expand on his original statement about the itemized quote not being available.
Has anyone else ever been involved in a construction project? Would you typically approve a project without an itemized quote? Was Mapes asleep at that meeting of the OAC?
I don’t really have an opinion on the doors personally. To form one, I’d have to, you know, see some quotes for the different options. It seems like the OAC should try that approach going forward.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 11:00 am
Knocking the State House Doors
Pat Quinn, take this money from the “Dome”
It can’t use it anymore.
We’re gettin’ broke, too broke for me at “Home”
Knocking the State House Doors … Dopes!
I like that I’m knockin’ the State House doors.
Knock, knock, knockin’ the State House doors
Knock, knock, knockin’ the State House doors
Knock, knock, knockin’ the State House doors
Knock, knock, knockin’ the State House doors
Pat Quinn, put my money in the schools
Districts need them much much more.
That thick red line is comin’ down
I like that I’m knockin’ the State House doors.
Knock, knock, knockin’ the State House doors
Knock, knock, knockin’ the State House doors
Knock, knock, knockin’ the State House doors
Knock, knock, knockin’ the State House doors
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 11:08 am
==“At this point in time, any spending on anything can be made to look extravagant,” Radogno spokeswoman Patty Schuh said.==
“and Senator Radogno reminds taxpayers that these doors open, AND close, doubling their utility and cost effectiveness.”
Comment by DanL60 Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 11:22 am
All those in government throwing the Capitol architect under the bus…..
Doesn’t the CDB have ultimate authority on all state building projects? Don’t the Four Tops have a seat on the board overseeing the capitol architect?
Didn’t the GA and the governor sign off on this project?
Are we to believe that everyone was asleep at the switch and the architect was out there freelancing?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 11:26 am
- asleep at the switch -
That’s rich coming from Daley. Hey Bill, where were you when JP Morgan was engaging in risky practices that greatly contributed to the collapse of the financial system?
Asleep at the wheel? Asleep in your plush office just waiting to cash in while the bank was accepting bailout money?
Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 11:29 am
This is one of the Dopiest things to come down the Pike in a long while …
This renovation was approved. Period.
The doors, the fixtures, everythinhg … is trying to keep the history of the buliding’s design, functional in a 21st Century Government.
“OW, the Doors, I mean, they are so expensive and an excess!”
You put the wrong doors up, it would be like having a 1965 Corvette fitted for cheap, 2009, Honda Civic doors, because the “price was better” even though it doesn’t add to the ‘65 Corvette.
Yikes!
What are we going to do? Move to Kaskaskia again?
Vandalia might have a buliding ready…
“Chicago is already the Capital” …in 3, 2, 1 ….
The Capitol is a Gem, it needs proper care and renovation to keep the history intact, and make this beautiful structure a 21st Century seat of state government.
The doors are part of it …
Unless you want to buy my ‘65 Corvette with the 2009 Honda Civic doors?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 11:36 am
So I guess the talking to the press embargo is over for Madigan and his mouthpiece…lending ever important mudslinging to the dialogue especially when it comes to Quinn…
Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 11:56 am
Nothing new to see here. Let’s move along.
Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 12:11 pm
I’ve been going back and forth on this issue. At first I was thinking that the pols were just trying to get their name in the paper, but after further reflection I’m settling down on the notion that the architect is a little tone deaf. I’m sure he was given free range to do what he thought was best, but cost never entered into his calculation.
Lessons learned for the next round.
Comment by Just Me Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 12:12 pm
To the question about authorizing entity for the Capitol changes. That authority rests with The Office of the Architect of the Capitol. For Capitol complex projects, CDB is basically a rubber stamp of the decisions of the Architect’s office. There is a board to which the Architect reports. The Internet description of this function is:
“The Office of the Architect of the Capitol (formerly the Legislative Space Needs Commission) is responsible for developing and implementing a long-range master plan of development for the Capitol Complex. The office reviews and approves all contracts for the repair, rehabilitation, construction, renovation or alteration of all state buildings in the Capitol Complex, including tunnels, power and heating plants, and surrounding grounds. The office has authority to allocate space within the Capitol Complex for the use of the General Assembly and its related agencies, and to acquire land for the operation or expansion of state facilities within the complex.” http://www.ilga.gov/commission/oac_home.html
The members of the board are: “Tim Anderson, Secretary of the Senate, Co-Chair; Timothy Mapes, Clerk of the House, Co-Chair; Scott Kaiser, Assistant Secretary of the Senate; Brad Bolin, Assistant Clerk of the House”
As I mentioned yesterday, I’ve heard through the grapevine that the Architect feels that he’s been thrown under the bus. I presume that’s because the role of the board has been understated. Of course, that’s hearsay and not admissible in a court of law.
For one of the few times, I must respectfully disagree with Word. I don’t believe that there is faux outrage regarding the spending. It is genuine and legitimate. While the most of the public probably doesn’t understand the difference between capital and operational spending, I think there are legitimate questions as to whether the spending was excessive. The Capitol is a symbol of the state and should be renovated with quality materials and expert artisans, but that doesn’t abrogate the obligation of the Architect and his board to ensure that goal is met at the cheapest cost.
I think the doors and chandeliers could have been cheaper without going to Lowe’s or other discount vendor, but my disagreement on cost rises to outrage with respect to the maidens. These are art objects that never before existed in our Capitol and do not perform any function necessary for the operation of a governmental building, such as air conditioning, fire safety improvements or computer wiring. These are elements that were incorporated into Iowa’s capitol. We didn’t need to copy them for ours.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 12:50 pm
- These are elements that were incorporated into Iowa’s capitol. -
According to the story I read, they originated in our capitol, but were deemed too risque at the time.
Apparently we asked for them back, but Iowa said no, and replications were made.
At least I’m pretty sure I read that somewhere.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 1:01 pm
- Norseman -,
Great post, I am always learning here …
To your point, the architects may be thrown under the bus, and I can see it, and get it, but knowing what I know now, and getting more background, I still think the doors are fine, and if they got approved when KNOWN acceptable alternatives MAY be out there, the finger points to ALL involved.
However,
I have no problem in what the dooors specifically are trying to do, which is compliment a 19th Century structure the best we can to be true to the design, bells and whistles included, and be a functioning 21st century seat of government.
Great post, made me think, appreciate the dropping of the knowledge.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 1:10 pm
As is usual with high price cases like this, no one asks why. Part of the reason is State law governing capital development especially A/E work and bidding. Projects are often over designed because outside consultants are guaranteed a good % of the total project cost and so have an incentive to over design to get paid more. Plus State architects and engineers often move on to the private sector and so don’t want to say no to possible future employers. I don’t know if all this applies in this case but it can with other projects. Of course exploring these issues is difficult and can be politically risky. Better to just take shots and throw staff under the bus.
Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 1:18 pm
==I’m sure he was given free range to do what he thought was best, but cost never entered into his calculation.==
This project wasn’t started without a plan. Your comment implies they just started doing things and had no budget to live within. These things go through a planning and development process. You know, with drawings and budgets and such. This is the dumbest outrage I’ve seen in a long time.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 1:27 pm
Steve Brown is gladly lobbing grenades…much easier than his usual job of detonating them.
Comment by Jake From Elwood Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 2:34 pm
=== These things go through a planning and development process. ===
A very thorough one at that, one should think.
Which makes it all the more unusual they are so reluctant to provide documentation of certain costs relating to this project.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 2:42 pm
I just hope the doors were made in Illinois, not Wisconsin. Then it might be a real story.
Comment by CampusAV Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 4:30 pm