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* The Sun-Times isn’t letting go of the Lou Viverito story. As you already know, Sen. Viverito was barred from a leadership meeting earlier this week by Senate President Emil Jones and then stripped of his position on the Senate Rules Committee.
Jones didn’t fire Viverito from his $19,221 leadership position. But the moves against the Southwest Side lawmaker have been viewed by some as heavy-handed retribution for voting against Jones and Gov. Blagojevich on gambling, health care and a massive business tax. […]
But those close to Jones said the Senate president and his legislative brain trust think that last week, Viverito leaked closely held Senate strategy to House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), his political patron. […]
Last Thursday, Jones privately told his 10-member Senate leadership team that he was prepared to pass a budget Madigan crafted and pushed through the House that day. Hours later, Madigan allowed an unusual parliamentary maneuver that blocked the budget from moving to the Senate, effectively thrusting the Legislature into overtime. […]
“You can’t strategize this time of the year and know you have someone in the group you can’t trust,” said a member of Jones’ leadership team, who asked not to be identified.
Viverito, who represents Madigan’s Southwest Side neighborhood, denied doing that. “That is a terrible way to describe someone like me, who’s ethical about what I can and can’t do,” he said. “Never have I run out of there and run over to Madigan to tell him what’s going on.”
* Kristen McQueary has more…
“I thought he was kidding at first,” Viverito said. “I waited a few minutes, and then I just walked out. I almost feel sorry for him. Emil is truly not a vindictive man, and this seems out of character. There is so much pressure on him right now. But I think he made a bad mistake. If you talk to caucus members, I think you’ll find that I was a good contributor.” […]
“Four casinos, poker machines — it was just too much,” Viverito said. “I told (Jones) I was not voting against him but that I was representing myself and my district, and I did speak quietly but effectively in leadership that I wasn’t going to vote for the gross-receipts tax.”
* But, as Kristen reports, the future doesn’t look good for Viverito…
“He is still on leadership, but I have asked him to stop attending our daily leadership meetings,” Jones said through his spokeswoman, Cindy Davidsmeyer. “I have the right to choose who I strategize with in these meetings.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 9:10 am
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Question of the day.
If Jones was truly going to support Madigan’s budget, Madigan held up the Senate vote because
a. he truly cares about rolling back the utility increase
b. he is dealing with Jones on something else
c. he just wants to make Jones and Blago look bad
d. other.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 9:24 am
The Senate a.k.a Jonestown.
Comment by Tom Payne Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 9:34 am
I have talked to several of my Democrat political friends and asked them, “What the heck is going on with Emil?” Is he on a self-destruct mission?”
Keep in mind that these friends of mine are Democrat politicians down in Springfield that are personal friends of Emil. They said, “that they were truly disappointed in Emil. They feel that what has happened to Emil is that Emil has become so used to brokering deals that it has transformed him into someone that is the opposite of the original guy that they used to know and love. He is cutting so many deals with Blagojevich, Com Ed, etc. that the line of “when” to broker deals has become blurred for him. He has become a shameless pork barrel manipulater so that he is assured of keeping his constituents back home happy (and their votes keep coming in).He is looking out for family members and friends at the expense of the rest of the citizens in Illinois. He has thrown enormous state money towards his favorite little black college back home at the expense of the state’s other colleges and universities. His little college pats him on his head and makes him feel important by putting his name out there on the college. It has become “Emil Goes Wild” as far as a political reality show.”
Based on what I am hearing, Emil will still be in the senate for many years due to his “bringing home the bacon” but his days of being a Democrat power broker down in Springfield are coming to a close. The power that he had simply went to his head and negatively changed him.
Comment by Beowulf Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 9:50 am
QOTD:
How about,
E: Downstate legislators told Madigan they wouldn’t vote for a budget until rate relief was decided. Madigan proposed this alternative, and unlike other “leaders” would not break the promise he gave members.
Especially since, who cares if it passed the Senate? The Gov was going to veto, and we’d likely be right where we are now anyway.
Comment by So Ill Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 10:05 am
The barber’s barber has given Lou a shave and a haircut. Not to worry, Lou: Jimmy’s hair grew back fuller and darker after his scalping. Just rub in a little hair tonic called loyalty. It works wonders.
Comment by Punley Dieter Finn Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 1:29 pm
Sounds like Mr. Jones decided to go it alone, so he plugged a way to backchannel communications with Madigan.
Not a good idea.
Daley is right.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 2:41 pm
Like Cullerton and Deleo aren’t back channeling to Madigan. Emil’s leadership has more leaks then a 5 year old bedwetter.
Comment by I C U Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 3:56 pm