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What a weird, exhausting day

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Illinois

It’s not often that Rod Blagojevich, sexual harassment allegations, and an extraordinary political detente converge on Illinois politics in a single day.

But Thursday was that day.

Lawmakers approved a state budget for the next year on the final day of their legislative session, President Donald Trump said he’s considering commuting the sentence of Illinois’ most recently imprisoned ex-governor, and a longtime Illinois House member resigned his position in the Democratic leadership after a medical marijuana advocate accused him of harassment.

And then the House stayed in session until nightfall passing tons of bills.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:36 am

Comments

The Blagojevich sentence was excessive in my opinion, so I would be ok with commuting the sentence. The accusations was a total train wreck, and I don’t believe anything the accuser said. The legislature did their job, and I applaud their efforts.

Comment by Retired Educator Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:41 am
Blagojevich needs to serve his full sentence. He tried to undermine our Democracy.

Comment by Me Again Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:49 am
Three candidates for Top Ten political stories of the year all happened in one day.

Comment by Roman Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:51 am
Very strange, indeed, that the budget story was lost in all the weirdness.

In Rauner’s fourth year, an overwhelming bipartisan majority of legislators basically froze him out and passed a very specific budget that greatly limits his executive discretion in spending money.

Rauner is not Big Heat any longer among GA Republicans.

That’s big news.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:54 am
Meh, exhausting? yes. Weird? Seemed like a normal May day in springfield.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:55 am
Not sure if I heard it correctly on the TV last night but is part of this balanced budget predicated on the sale of the Thompson Center? If so what’s the likely hood of that money actually coming in this year.

Comment by BigLou Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:57 am
I wonder if Rauner will have a press availability for his signing of a budget, passed 153-20, with no imput by him, no lobbying or cheerleading by him, and by his signature, he, Bruce Rauner will authorized the spending of revenue, including the 32% tax increase that was needed to balance this budget… certifying and validating the “Madigan Tax” that Rauner said was too high… but is needed, every penny of it, to balance.

Can I get one of the pens?

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:59 am
Word and Willy both hit on what I believe is the biggest takeaway from all of this–that Rauner is no longer relevant to the legislative process.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:03 am
Last year’s tax hike and Rauner not pushin’ nonbudget demands, attackin’ Madigan on TV and blowin’ up compromise made things so much better. Bipartisanship was beautiful and greatly appreciated.

Yesterday the GA passed a great bill, to expand MMJ to those who would need opioids. There is no comparison as to which drug is more harmful, and no reason to veto or not override this.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:04 am
Rauner: “And you know what? I told you I was t in charge, and I proved it”.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:09 am
We were reminded once more why IL politics doesn’t get national coverage despite the drama. It’s just not believable.

I especially appreciate Trump icing the cake with Rod. What could possibly be better in an election where another $100 million will be spent before November than releasing Rod back into the wild.

Its like the last 10 laps of a restrictor plate race that’s going to last 5 months.

Comment by the Patriot Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:10 am
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:59 am:

I wonder if Rauner will have a press availability for his signing of a budget, passed 153-20, [ . . .]

And Drury was among the 153 in favor? WWFHD–What Would Franks Have Done? Weird day yesterday indeed.

Comment by Leatherneck Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:15 am
No, Leatherneck, the gentleman from Highwood did not see fit to attend session yesterday.

Comment by LakeviewJ Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:21 am
===What Would Franks Have Done?===

Franks?

He would’ve got up to speak to the bill(s), wringing hands, and looking for cameras… and railed on the budget itself… then lauded the bipartisanship… then railed on on the lack of input not allowed… then praised the budgeteers… then “reluctantly” come to be for it, but “so much more needs to be done”… then dramatically end his time…

…

… and he’d be “Green” like 150+ of his colleagues.

He’s Jack (bleepin) Franks (exclamation mark)

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:21 am
===the gentleman from Highwood did not see fit to attend session yesterday.===

He must have lost track of time.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:28 am
=== ===the gentleman from Highwood did not see fit to attend session yesterday.===

He must have lost track of time.===

Setting the bar high today, are we - 47th Ward -?

That’s tasty.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:30 am
It is indeed a shame that on-time passage of a balanced, bipartisan budget was lost amongst everything else.

It’s also a shame that on-time passage of a balanced, bipartisan budget- in other words, what’s *supposed* to happen- is an extraordinary, newsworthy event.

Comment by Father Ted Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:34 am
Yesterday-
1.) ILGOP confirmed Rauner’s lame duck status.
2.) “#metoo” is becoming “#meisoutofcredibility”
3.) The President knows how to shake up Illinois

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:34 am
–He must have lost track of time.–

Weird. Just had his clock cleaned a couple months ago.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:36 am
===Rauner is not Big Heat any longer among GA Republicans.
That’s big news.====
It was great to see Durkin step up. I just wish he did it 2 years ago.

Comment by Been There Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:51 am
I’m still trying to figure out how it costs $53 million to fix the plumbing at the Quincy Vet’s home. And they asked for over $200 million? Couldn’t they build something brand new for a few million?

Comment by Stooges Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:58 am
Since Blago has shown no remorse, he should stay in prison.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:05 am
Stooges - they were planning on building some new buildings with the 200+ million, maybe still are planning to do it. Still seems very inflated to me but whatevs.

Comment by Perrid Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:10 am
===I’m still trying to figure out how it costs $53 million to fix the plumbing at the Quincy Vet’s home. And they asked for over $200 million? Couldn’t they build something brand new for a few million? ===
Me too. I posted something a few weeks ago that did some basic cost estimating for new construction and it was tops around $50 mil. And that was using Chicago area prices for nursing home construction. I just don’t get it.

Comment by Been There Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:16 am
Why would Trump even consider involving himself in this- assuming that the report is true?

Comment by nonBeliever Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:21 am
==Why would Trump even consider involving himself in this==

Why does Trump do 3/4 of the things he does? If you’ll recall Patti Blagojevich went on Fox to appeal to Trump. That’s where Trump gets his info. There’s your answer.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:25 am
==WWFHD–What Would Franks Have Done?==

Little. Potentially changed the outcome by 1. So; the usual.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:40 am
This whole session has spent a lot of time reducing “Enhanced Sentences”.

Loathe Rod and what he did. But his sentence was beyond enhanced.

Hope he gets commuted. Bigger hope; he moves.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:42 am
== passed a very specific budget that greatly limits his executive discretion in spending money. ==

Given the broad powers of an Illinois Governor, that is saying something.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:44 am
–Why would Trump even consider involving himself in this- assuming that the report is true?–

Assuming it’s true? Is Trump not a credible source on Trump?

He’s showing his peeps caught up in the Russia counter-intelligence investigation that he’s willing to use his pardon powers for those treated “unfairly” by the Justice Department and FBI.

So, be cool.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:48 am
===Bigger hope; he moves.===

Yeah, me too. I live close to his house, and the TV trucks were double parked again out front again yesterday, as usual.

I am almost certain President Trump will commute his sentence. And I think I’m in the minority here when I say I think his sentence was just.

Unlike George Ryan, who didn’t take the stand, Rod did. And it’s pretty clear he lied under oath. Not only that, but at every opportunity, despite warnings from Judge Zagel, Rod showed open contempt for the court and the process.

Even after several of the charges were tossed out on appeal, his sentence was re-affirmed after careful review.

I Knew Rod and I lived through his rise and fall, and saw some of it up close. Rod Blagojevich got what he deserved and only has himself to blame.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:51 am
Those Blagojevich tapes kinda lose any usefulness in campaign ads if Blagojevich is released.

Can’t really go after Pritzker if Trump is saying Blago was railroaded.

Comment by Thomas Paine Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:03 pm
===Can’t really go after Pritzker if Trump is saying Blago was railroaded.===

Further…

Rauner can’t attack Trump for doing it. Rauner won’t even say Trump, can you imagine Trump commuting Rod… Rauner would then go after Trump?

Hmm.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:06 pm
–Those Blagojevich tapes kinda lose any usefulness in campaign ads if Blagojevich is released.–

Maybe, but he’s most likely still be a felon and there’s always the wildcard of “Blago LIVE!” He might issue an off-the-cuff endorsement or something even if JB’s camp were to politely say “don’t help.”

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:18 pm