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Send your complaints to Jesse White.
Illinois residents are getting a new tool for fighting government corruption: www.ReportItNow.net.The Web site was created by Secretary of State Jesse White for people to report any problems in his office. White says accusations about other parts of government will be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.
Anonymous complaints are allowed, although White says it’s best if people give their names so that investigators can follow up and ask more questions. The reports will be kept confidential. Only the office’s inspector general will see the accusation.
This is probably at least partly a response to his opponent’s criticism that the office is not sufficiently high tech and accessible. And if my own experience is any indication, 99 percent of the “corruption” reported will be worthless info.
Still, one never knows exactly what will happen whenever a pressure valve like this is opened.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 5:55 am
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“And if my own experience is any indication, 99 percent of the “corruption†reported will be worthless info”
Why is that, Rich? Is it because people are afraid to give their names or are afraid to give sufficient detail, or is it too partisan motivated, or do people suffer from not knowing enough to judge whether something is corrupt or not - ie, judging the elephant as a snake by feeling it’s tail?
Comment by OAD Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 6:24 am
Amazing !!!! Great plan !!! Sounds just about like the suggestion Dan Rutherford, GOP candidate for Sect’y of State made just about 10 days –2 weeks ago in a press conference I personally heard. Apparently Rutherford realizes this change & other changes, improvements or ideas are desperately needed in the Ill. Sect’y of States office to improve the overall service. Wonder what “”inovations”" are coming to the current Sect’y of States office next ? …now after what ??? ah ? gosh ? I don’t know …{8} years on the job !! Stay tuned !!Just wait for the next idea from Rutherford I guess & I’m sure Jesse White will announce it soon after !! The GOP guy apparently sees problems, trouble & is coming up with common sense plans & ideas to maybe get us into the 21st century probably from just talking with people effected from the lack of service, long waits for basic services, long waits to renew a drivers license, bungled renewal notices in the mail {{I can personally attest to this 3 years in a row}}, lack of appropriate staff just to name a few. Maybe it’s time to send a Republican in to do the job …the democrat lacking in ideas is taking direction from the GOP.
Comment by annon. in central illinois Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 6:29 am
OAD…. Yes
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 6:50 am
There is plenty of corruption going on all across agencies in Springfield. However, people will not report it unless complete anonimity is assured. The only way to do that is to send an unsigned letter with no address to the OIG, but then will they follow it up? As far as 99% of it being worthless, maybe they only report the tip of the iceberg. People know corruption when they see it.
I think the investigation into hiring practices will bear that out.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 6:58 am
Rich deletes most things negative on Jesse White. To believe that complaints would be anonymous is ridiculous. There is or at least was lots and lots of corruption at the SOS under Jesse White. I would detail it here, and much of it is in the public domain: previously released stories in mainstream media–BUT Rich has taken things down in the past. White gets a pass more than most politicians.
Comment by Lassar Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 7:09 am
My predicition: Last we will ever hear of it.
Comment by SOS Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 7:27 am
There’s still corruption in the SOS, but depending on how high up you are, Jesse’s IG will give you a pass. The only reason Cecil Turner got into so much trouble is because the FBI got involved.
BTW, I see in the SJR that new SOS Personnel Director Steve Roth makes $91,000 a year in his new job. The article also mentions Roth’s wife also works at the SOS making $30 an hour. Wish the Feds would look into White’s hiring practices. They’re not any more ethical than ARod’s.
Comment by Walking Wounded Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 8:12 am
Fair warning to State of Illinois employees. Don’t ever post on Capitol Fax Blog on a state computer. You will be reported and possibly lose your job. I have heard that an IDOT employee was fired.
Comment by Political Junkie Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 9:33 am
“Political Junkie,” I seriously doubt your story is true. But on the ever so slight chance that it is, that person should sue since state employees are obviously allowed to post comments at newspapers.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 9:38 am
Rich does give a pass to Jesse White, Jesse White himself is at least superficially very pleasant personality. His staff is really not that competent nor are they paragons of integrity.
Comment by JB Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 11:02 am
Jesse White did get a pass and is very lucky. It is amazing there have been so few indictments and he is personally not touched. This hurts Jim Burns credibility.
Comment by Kasper Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 12:01 pm
Junkie & Rich - The compter guidelines allow internet use provided it is job related. For a long time, IDOT did not allow internet access to the lower level members of the “B Team”. I only got it 2 1/2 years ago and am very careful about where I go and what I do.
I heard about 1 guy getting fired at IDOT over computer use, but that was because he had porn on it.
BTW - I am on vacation today, so the hounds can’t get me today.
Comment by "B Team" Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 12:19 pm
I will try and stay on point. #1 Point: If the corruption or perpetrator stems from inside the SOS,(Tom Benignos),network and you have not dug a hole like Cecil Turner, Federal Wiretap admitting your guilt,,your chance of even getting investigated are slim to none. The point Walking Wounded made is right on the money. No FBI involvement, no case. How on God’s green earth could that fiasco go on for so many years and remain secret.(Again, I read the indicment).
Point #2 If you give your information all that does is assist the SOS IG in conducting an intial background on the complainant to try and discreidt them. (Steve Nash, I am surprised to even associate with those people.) I worked there folks, I KNOW THE OPERATION. Before the election I will prove my point. I will file a complaint with my personal information attached and keep record as to activity and progress. I will forward that info to Bernie Schoenberg for his review and see what comes.
Here is a tidbit for Secretary Benigno, Mr. White, IG Burns. Explain the difference in corrective action in these 2 cases.
1. Central/Southern Illinois (I believe Hillsboro Drivers facility) female manager slips off occasionally to have coffee with her friends and receives 8 day suspension.
2.Peoria Facility Manager and Peoria County Democractic County Chairman Billy Halstead is investigated for months, case file several inches thick, even videotaped at political functions during SOS workday, and receives WRITTEN WARNING. I will stop here. My challenge has been issued.
Comment by bagger Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 4:49 pm
Regarding corruption. It’s one thing to have a web site to report corruption. Far, far, far better just not to hire convicted felons and political hacks (Cecil Turner) in the first place. Corruption will never be cleaned up until state employees are hired based on merit instead of political connections. Jesse White should be investigated for even hiring Cecil Turner–convicted of stealing veterans checks out of the mail. Then put in charge of serious responsibility with no oversight. Jesse White hired a political crony and that crony dived right into pigging out when he began the ghost payrolling scheme almost immediately after being hired. And Jesse White was conveniently asleep at the wheel FOR SIX YEARS while this went on. People tell me the ghost payroll scam is just the tip of iceberg regarding Cecil Turner’s crime wave in the Secretary of State’s office.
Hire honest people Jesse and you won’t have to worry about convenient ways for people to report corruption. Jesse’s actions clearly make him part of the problem.
Comment by sage Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 6:14 pm
I know most peoples’ memories are short, but can you recall that White had two previous IGs, Don Strom and Dave Grossman? Both left the office because Benigno was calling the shots and wouldn’t let them do their jobs. Burns is a perfect fit for his position because all the high level investigations are orchestrated through Benigno. Burns is the Dean Bauaer of this administration.
Comment by Walking Wounded Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 6:26 pm
SOS Police have a political hiree (a Deputy Director) whom is in-charge of hubcaps!!! Talk about patronage!!!
Comment by 007 Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 6:30 pm
Most state corruption is not as simple as an envelope of cash given to a state official in exchange for something or other in the back room of a bar in Sprinfield or Chicago. I suppose that happens still, but not often. It’s retro.
Perhaps what is needed is a list of the different types of corruption which do take place and what civil servants and others should be looking for specifically and why such activities harm taxpayers and should be prohibited.
Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Aug 3, 06 @ 7:20 pm
It’d just be nice if they could find a way to stop the corruption that prevents or hampers everyday state employees from doing their jobs correctly, appropriately, and in a timely manner to help the other taxpayers of Illinois.
A lot of subtle things go on in the workplace that we can’t just contact EOIG on. It’s not that simple. We’re stuck. And we pay taxes, which in turn means we’re also helping to pay these peoples salaries.
Comment by Tessa Friday, Aug 4, 06 @ 6:17 am
Following is a link to Sen. Rutherford’s response to Jesse White’s unveiling of the new website:
http://www.danrutherford.org/PR_white_follows_rutherfords_lead.asp
Steve Schoeffel
Communications Director
Dan Rutherford for Secretary of State
Comment by Steve Schoeffel Friday, Aug 4, 06 @ 10:27 pm