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My Sun-Times column today is about Senate President Emil Jones…
Senate President Emil Jones often recommends that Statehouse newbies watch “The Godfather, Part 1″ to get an idea of how Springfield operates. It’s a good idea, and I told my intern this year that he needed to watch the flick as well.
Loyalty, honor, respect and ruthlessness are the lessons we’re supposed to learn from the classic film, which follows mafia chieftain Don Corleone and his sons as they deal with “family business,” including killing off all their enemies.
Jones often quotes lines from the movie, and his management style is regularly compared to the loyalty-obsessed brutality of the Corleone “family.” But his schtick has gotten way out of hand this year.
To put it simply, Jones has become far too enamored with “whacking” his enemies — politically speaking, of course. Jones hasn’t actually had anybody killed this year, but he has definitely made it known that he will ruthlessly avenge any sign of disloyalty.
The column then goes through a long litany of abuses and/or misuses of power by Jones and ends thusly..
Here’s the lesson about Mafia movies that Jones is missing: They don’t end well. There’s no singing and dancing by victorious mobsters as the credits roll. Michael Corleone may have “won” his battles and wound up on top at the end of “The Godfather,” but he was clearly a doomed man.
Please read the whole thing before discussing below. Thanks.
*** UPDATE *** Eric Krol’s column takes a look at Jones and his new suburban freshman. It’s something I’ve been writing about in Capitol Fax, and Krol doesn’t like what he sees (neither do I, for that matter)…
As I listened online to the Illinois Senate in the final hours before overtime loomed, I heard something unfold I could hardly believe.
Democratic Senate President Emil Jones pushed through a doomed major gambling expansion that would put new casinos in Chicago, Waukegan, the South suburbs and near O’Hare. It was doomed because the House had left for the day, not that it had much of a prayer there to begin with. This vote was symbolic.
I was anxious to see if Jones, who’d reportedly been working hard all day to get this legislation passed, put any of the four suburban freshmen on this dangerous roll call. Democratic Sens. Michael Noland of Elgin, Michael Bond of Grayslake, Linda Holmes of Plainfield and Dan Kotowski of Park Ridge had scored upsets but remain politically vulnerable.
Jones allowed all four of them to vote for the gambling expansion, the largest since the state first legalized floating casinos. All four just handed their future opponents a ready-made glossy campaign attack flier: “(Insert senator’s name here) swims in the cesspool of gambling.”
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 9:30 am
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Don Corleone never used his power indiscriminately. It was to protect his family and business.
Comment by Huh? Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 9:39 am
It was a great column. I don’t have any inner knowledge of the State Senate. But if I were an ambitious Senator looking to move up I might see an opportunity. These downstaters are facing electoral disaster if the rate increases don’t get “unincreased”. Jones either doesn’t care or is more concerned with keeping the ComED money train coming to his political operation and family.
Comment by irishpirate Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 9:43 am
If my memory serves me correctly. The dictator Saddam Hussein’s favorite movie was “The Godfather” too.
And we all know what happened to Saddam.
As for Emil, consider the source.
Comment by Run To You Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 9:47 am
I think you perhaps missed one other shining example; the Blagojevich/Jacobs confrontation. No other leader would have allowed a governor to treat a member of his/her caucus in that manner. President Jones’ reaction…none that I’m aware of.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 9:47 am
This was really a good piece. The comparisons are intriguing.
Comment by Leigh Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 9:51 am
CIS, good point but a 650 word limit means not everything gets covered.
Huh, that’s why I said Jones was taking it too far. If I had more space, I might’ve made the case that Jones was acting a lot like Sonny Corleone, who met his end after going too far with his revenge.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 9:54 am
“He finally got to the top of the world… and it blew right up in his face.” — White Heat (1949)
He finally got to be one of the Four Tops… and he blew it up right in his own face. — SCAM (2007)
Comment by so-called "Austin Mayor" Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 10:00 am
I am a Chicagoan.
This is how Chicago operates.
As long as Chicago controls our state government, this is how things will be done at the state level.
Corruption, inefficiencies, political greed and cynicism are the fruits of our state system.
It is no wonder why Illinois continues to slide backwards into the backwaters of 20th Century blue state politics. It is no wonder why Illinois continues to lose politically as each congressional district is reassigned to a boom state.
That is the way the “game” is played. That is why Illinois is finding it is no longer a player on the global scene.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 10:06 am
The move offers many lessons on power. A couple lessons apply here: Sonny (Emil Jones), who relies on brute force, is ultimatly taken down because he doesn’t know how to use his power wisely. Fredo (Blago) meets his demise b/c he’s too dumb to know that he’s in way over his head. In the end only the smart, often quite and methodical Michael (Madigan) lives to reign.
Comment by Pauly...Won't see him no more. Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 10:06 am
I think your article is great. (SAD) to think our state government is compared to a mob movie, just goes to show how much trouble we in this state are really in.
Comment by Just Because Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 10:07 am
If Jones is “Godfather” and George is “Goodfellas” some type of comparison has to be made to “Casino”
Comment by Just Because Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 10:09 am
Pauly’s exactly right: if Springfield is like “The Godfather,” then Madigan is Michael, Jones is Sonny, and Blago is Fredo (”I can handle things! I’m smart! Not like everybody says… like dumb… I’m smart and I want respect!”)
Comment by the Other Anonymous Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 10:21 am
Rich, very well written. Keep in mind that the Mob is always being watched by the Feds…. Fitzy is lerking out there, it will be a matter of time before Emil gets his.
Comment by He makes Ryan look like a saint Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 10:22 am
The Krol piece has something from Linda Holmes saying basically.
“The owner of the Aurora Casino said it was ok to vote yes” Hello Linda, there are more interests involved in this than just the owners of the casino in Aurora.
How about the city of Aurora and residents of your district?
Comment by OneManBlog Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 10:28 am
Holmes is very vunerable and would not have won except for the Republican backlash. I will bet she is a one termer.
Comment by Leigh Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 10:39 am
Great article, Rich. A good take would have also been to compare the situation to Tony Soprano, as Emil could be compared to Tony in regards to the way Tony feels/felt about members of the “team” that drug him down (Chris, Ralphie, Sal, Uncle Junior). Emil seems to feel the same way about some of his own members - just ask Forby, Jacobs, Frerichs, etc.
And for fun, I’ve gotta mention the Good Pigeons from “The Animaniacs”. A classic spoof.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 11:01 am
Blago is Carlo.
Comment by nino brown Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 11:03 am
Actually, the Holmes quote below was the killer for me:
“Jones ‘absolutely’ didn’t pressure [Holmes], but she also didn’t ask Jones for any projects in return for her support on something Jones coveted. ‘As a new legislator, it’s hard to know what we’re supposed to do,’ she told me.”
Wow, just wow.
Comment by Stuck with Sen. CPA Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 11:35 am
Whats this talk of the mafia in springfield and Illinois. I dont know nothing about no mafia. If Jones is using a movie to teach his collegues, then what does that say about the people the Democrats are voting into office. You would never have heard the republicans talking about the mafia or anything like that. Let’s remember “The Godfather” is a movie, not real life.
Comment by SpfldPolitico Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 11:42 am
SpfldPolitico wrote: “You would never have heard the republicans talking about the mafia or anything like that.”
You don’t get around much, do you?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 11:43 am
I guess not Richie.
Comment by SpfldPolitico Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 11:48 am
They would know to never use a word like that aloud.
Comment by SpfldPolitico Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 11:50 am
Please. Jones isn’t the only Godfather/Sopranos/Goodfellas afficionado in the General Assembly.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 11:52 am
The current Republican leaders likely tell their new members to watch the Teletubbies for insights on how things work.
Comment by Frank Booth Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 12:19 pm
It looks like Emil just might be heading down the same road as Rod, politically or with the Feds sniffing around, if he doesn’t get a brain.
If I were the Senator’s that got dumped on, I would band together and break away from Emil right now. With or without his help in upcoming elections, Emil is becoming as toxic as George W.
Comment by Papa Legba Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 12:20 pm
SpldPolitico,
Get your head out of the sand. They don’t use the word mafia because they are actually in it. If they are not then they harvested the fruits of patronage or a fixed contract or whatever they could come up with and get there buddy to do for cheap. It is the springfield way because the mafia has been running things down there for a long long time. They will continue to do so because it is all fixed, all the way up. Also, when it comes to the big stuff nobody cares if you are a D or R it is about how much $$$ for them. The crazy thing is that Springfield is on its umpteenth generation of people digesting all this garbage on a daily basis. It has polluted the stock of people. This thing has become the culture, not part of the culture, the culture. Each generation that passes the people become more hollow and worthless. You could not pay me to live in that cesspool.
Comment by nino brown Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 12:30 pm
nino, ‘cmon. they aren’t actually in it. let’s tone it down a bit.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 12:49 pm
Have you seen New jack City? Nino does not take nicely to the traditional mob. They are in his way. That is why I have this name. Someday you will understand.
Comment by nino brown Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 1:14 pm
normally i get a kick out of your pieces. but apparently some readers take the mafia character references too far. Sen Jones to all that know him is an honest and strong willed man. He doesn’t have extravegent taste and doesn’t make millions with a side job like many others. he was elected president of the senate, because of that and was elected by his peers.
for all of those complaining about the budget stalemate today, maybe you should have campaigned harder or not voted for a third party copt-out.
everyone has their criticism of Pres Jones, but i don’t hear anyother ideas. How about putting a higher tax on predatory lenders? or do you think that would hinder a bustlinh business?
the mafia has been out of politics for a long time and if you recall it was the 1st Ward in Chicago. If any of you students of politics remember, there were NO African Americans in that organization. Pres Jones has worked his butt off for the Dem Party and the Senate the fair and proper way. As for his newbies in the Senate, I commend them for sticking up for economic development in the good state of Illinois. Maybe some of you should watch the casino bus pick up spots in Chicago. Watch all of the tax dollars leave our state for Indiana. We need those funds. our schools, our children and our elderly (who will be walking when they can no longer afford public transportation) need those funs.
Comment by B-no name nickname needed Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 1:17 pm
I know it was just a comparision but its kind of ironic that we are comparing our legislators to the mafia and none of the top five are actually Italian (that I know of). Maybe the Commission for Social Justice has been right all along.
Comment by anon Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 1:34 pm
No story on Emil Jones walking his members down the plank is complete without mentioning former State Senator Pat Welch, who cast a symbolic vote in favor of a major tax increase at Jones’s behest and lost his seat as a result. And he was a long time incumbent.
The Freshman Five should remember that it was the electorate — not Jones — that put them in office, and the electorate — not Jones — who can take them out.
Heck, if I’m not mistaken, four of the five have GOP State Reps (I think Frerichs is in Jakobsson’s seat, if not, it’s Bill Black, and he’s an uber-Rep). They’re all stand-up folks, and if Jones wants to play hardball, I’m sure Madigan would be happy to back them in a run for the House, following in Bob Molaro’s footsteps.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 1:47 pm
I’m sure Emil Jones is a very personable and wonderful guy - a “goodella” but he has sold his sold to the devil (Com-Ed) to the detriment of the citizens of Illinos and his fellow Democrats, especailly downstaters.
After we get through the present debacle, it’s time for a gang war in the Democratic Party. Senate President Emil Jones has overplayed his hand. He should be “whacked” politically. Emil Jones will “sleep with the fishes” - alewives no doubt.
Comment by Captain America Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 1:58 pm
Emil started out in politics as a humble and simple man that eventually power and greed easily over came him. Like the winner of a million dollar lotto, Emil simply did not know how to handle it all. The “Art of the Deal” gradually blurred Emil’s vision of when one was crossing the line on a unworthy personal rather than a worthy political mission. Self-enrichment is a very powerful motivation. Not many men (including Emil)can hold it’s influence in check.
It is a shame because here was once a humble politician who allowed himself to become stained and tarnished as the pervasive and cancer-like force of corrupting power slowly ate away at his integrity.
Comment by Beowulf Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 2:04 pm
Politics = hollywood for ugly people
Comment by Napoleon has left the building Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 2:26 pm
anon 1:34
There are some Italian mobsters left but most of them have had there girlie _sses run out of business by the Russians. How do you pronounce it again?
Comment by nino brown Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 4:18 pm
Well now this is awfully ironic indeed. The last few years I’ve been thinking alot about Illinois Government and it’s parallels to the mob. The Feds too, but they’re a bit different, at least they have a bit more finesse. All in all, the mob has changed it’s face. Mobsters no longer carry tommyguns to get ahead. The new mobster typically gets a law degree, spends time practicing and eventually runs for office. Now they don’t have to break laws, they only have to change them.
Our own government has become the mob reborn!
Comment by The Seer Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 4:37 pm
Captain America - I’m for rate relief as much as CUB, the Speaker, and the Attorney General, but calling ComEd the devil is over-the-top.
Not only that, but that kind of posturing obscures ComEd’s vital interests and makes negotiation and resolution very difficult.
They are just a business, and don’t operate very differently from most businesses. The stakes are higher and their monopoly position makes them more difficult to keep in check, but that’s about it.
Oh yeah, and they lied to the Speaker, but that’s inside baseball.
It’s important to understand that there’s more to ComEd’s bottom line than this year’s bottom line, and as soon as advocates for rate relief figure out exactly what that is, they’ll have the leverage they need to get relief.
The Generator Tax on ComEd’s parent company is the kind of creative problem-solving this requires. And you can’t settle for taxing “the devil”.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 4:58 pm
the shocking thing is Paul had never seen GF I????
Comment by Hugh Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 4:59 pm
Plain and simple - Jones needs to go!
Comment by disappointed supporter Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 6:03 pm
They don’t call it mafia in Chicago: it’s “Da Outfit”, everybody frum da nort to da sout side knows dat.
Secondly, while this is fun, truth be told, there are a number of classic and not so classic movies that pretty much all men memorize passages of dialog from, to amuse or impress each other. Two of the most common are Godfather and Caddyshack.
Speaking of Caddy Shack, Madigan right now is doing a Ted Knight/Judge Smales impression, looking at Emil and Rod and saying:
“Wellllll? We’re WAITING!!!!?!?!?!!!”
“Be the ball, Roddy, be the ball.”
“So I asked the Lama, I said Hey, Lama, how about somtin’ you know, for dah effort?… He told me I would achieve perfect consciousness when I die, so I got THAT going for me”.
See? Caddyshack is the perfect movie metaphor for overtime session.
Comment by Sonny's tollbooth has a Blagojevich sign on it Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 7:50 pm
I live in Holmes’ district. I am a Dem but will definitely vote for Holmes’ future GOP opponent whoever that may be. Jones is a disgrace. The com ed thing did it for me. Never though I’d say this, but Jones is worth than Blago. Any comments???
Comment by anon Friday, Jun 8, 07 @ 9:04 pm
Emil Jones has been a major disappointment. I had hoped he could bury past slights. It is not about you-it is about the job you were elected to do.
Comment by Loyal Whig Saturday, Jun 9, 07 @ 12:03 am