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The repeated flouting of state ethics laws really needs to cease and desist…

Despite an ethics act that promised to shine a light on unpaid advisers to statewide officeholders, no one has filed the required paperwork for the last three years, including a close friend of Gov. Rod Blagojevich who helped inspire the law.

The provision in the ethics law was embraced by the Democratic governor in 2003 after being added at the insistence of Republican lawmakers. They raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest arising from what one lawmaker described as a “shadow government” of advisers to Blagojevich who wielded influence on state policies.

Christopher Kelly, a longtime Blagojevich confidant singled out by Republicans, was one of two people who filed the economic disclosure form after the special designation took effect. But a recent review of state records shows the administration requested that Kelly be removed from the list just before Christmas 2004. […]

After being removed from the list, Kelly flew on the state’s airplane with Blagojevich and the governor’s aides on at least four occasions in 2005, though the governor’s campaign fund picked up the costs for Kelly. In addition, Kelly met with Blagojevich and top aides in February 2007 at the governor’s campaign headquarters, a campaign spokesman has said.

[Emphasis added]

As usual, the administration refused to answer questions about why Kelly is no longer on the list. They never feel a need to explain this stuff.

But Kelly isn’t the only person who hangs out with the guv. Lon Monk, his former chief of staff, is now a bigtime lobbyist. John Wyma, his chief of staff for his congressional office, is a major Illinois lobbyist who rarely shows his face in town (he doesn’t need to as long as he has direct access to the governor). But according to the Tribune story, nobody has filed disclosure reports in the past three years.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 8:56 am

Comments

And legislative leaders still refuse to release time sheets for their employees.

Comment by Cal Skinner Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 9:11 am
You know how some people are so challenged mentally, they raise their fists whenever questioned about something they don’t understand? Their first response to frustration is to threaten, bully, and fight?

Our jails are full of these people. They can’t handle anyone telling them no or wanting to compromise. Their gut instinct is to throw a sucker punch or gouge out an eye.

We got one of those as governor.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 9:22 am
“Long Monk” sounds downright dirty to me…

Comment by Reese's Pieces Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 9:23 am
Illinois is without hesitation, doubt the most corrupt state in the union.
The blatant disregard for the law(s) in our state by the very individuals who make and pass the
law(s) is beyond criminal.

Comment by Fox River Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 9:51 am
It it illegal to remove names off of an FAA passenger log?

Why are these guys on our citizen owned planes?

IF you recall, Wyma flew to DC with Tusk and Blago one the state plane and a few weeks later his client A health care providor landed a HUGE contract …..

Comment by Larry Mullholland Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 10:03 am
Funny how a lawyer can lose their law license in IN and become a top lobbyist/advisor to Blago. Shows the skillset they are looking for.

Comment by Anono Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 10:17 am
What ever happened to the law is the L-A-W?

Comment by Chicago Federales Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 12:41 pm
nino, is that your real name? I hope it is, but I doubt it. No one should be able to say such slanderous (and stupid) things about people anonymously.

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 1:24 pm
Oh, and to the post. After reading the statutory requirements carefully, I doubt any of those guys SHOULD have to file, so it may be a little unfair to criticize them for not doing something they’re not required to do.

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 1:27 pm
Steve -
What about all the slanderous accusations the Blago administration has wielded towards innocent ex-state employees or anyone who question their corrupt motives?

Comment by Corruption Train Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 2:06 pm
Well surprize, surprize, surprize. The ethics rules don’t apply to Blago and friends.

Comment by Lula May Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 2:28 pm
Did Posting from - nino brown - Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 1:07 pm:
Kelly, like Cini and Monk, answers to Cellini.
Strike a nerve?
It suddenly disappeared.

Comment by Blip on the radar Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 2:33 pm
Hey stevie,
They are all public figures, and therefore, in my opinion, fair game. Rich took it down because its his site and his rules. I just like to find out what the rules are from time to time. Grow up steve and smell the –it. I think it stinks and everybody knows what was said is true and that is why it had to come down. If it were half true and half lies it would have been in the paper or on tv.

Comment by nino brown Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 2:54 pm
- Nino

Who’s KJ?

Comment by Blip on the radar Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 3:03 pm
kj is Bob Kjellander. They are thick as thieves.

And yo Steve,
Nino Brown is a cultural icon/scourge in the black community. He was a character/crack dealer in an early 90’s movie called New Jack City.
His winning defense ended up being that the system made him the way he was. Kind of like being a northender in Springfield. They just can’t help it the whole area is crooked. I just want someone /Patrick/Peter Fitzgerald to cut the head off of the outfit. Maybe then we will see some positive changes. As is is good for them. KJ and BC will regret what they did to Mr. Smith. They already do. Obama!

Comment by nino brown Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 5:21 pm
Train, they don’t do it anonymously.

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 6:25 pm
nino, it’s easy to be a bigshot “truth teller” anonymously. Try using your real name.

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 6:27 pm
Rich has given us choices: Name/Nickname/Anon
How do we know Steve Schnorf is your real name?
However it was Milo who said but a week ago “the truth shall set you free”. And that’s from a complusive liar.

Comment by Poolside from Hotel Ibiza Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 8:33 pm
Are we on this ‘real name’ thing over here also? Why do you care so much if people use an alias? It’s not like your compiling an enemies list or anything….are you?

Comment by Name/Nickname/Anon Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 10:18 pm
Hey Steve,
Get over it. That is the point of blogging. It doesn’t matter who I am or where I came from. I could be a state worker, a janitor, business owner, drug dealer…it doesn’t matter. What matters is the content of my posts. You are hung up on one thing about this blog and I think I speak for more than a few when I say if you don’t like the rules, Get the —- out. We won’t miss your combine/mafia apologies.

Steve,
You may not want to admit that these people you helped over all those years are crooks but they are. I am sorry that you are unable to face the ugliness. It would be better if you admitted that most of your career was for the betterment of a few as opposed to the many and went on with your life. Whatever you do please quit -itching about the anonymity factor.

Comment by nino brown Thursday, May 31, 07 @ 7:22 am