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Workers enrolled in a state-funded program to provide job training tell Fox Chicago News they instead spent their time gathering signatures on petitions for political candidates.
A Fox Chicago News investigation found several Earnfare workers who said they were told to pass petitions for Cook County Board President candidate Dorothy Brown, among other candidates. […]
The workers said they were assigned to do clerical work and maintenance for the Mother’s House social service organization at 49th and Ashland on Chicago’s south side. When Fox Chicago News visited the agency on Tuesday, we found stacks of blank political petitions on a table in the office.
We also found Hassan Muhammad, a political field director for Brown’s campaign. He denied the Earnfare workers were being used for political work, and then pushed a Fox Chicago cameraman out of the office.
This is the same Dorothy Brown who held a campaign press event in the county building and who only recently stopped accepting annual cash gifts from her employees.
* Meanwhile, back at the Statehouse, Gov. Pat Quinn refused to say where he stands on the issue of capping the amount of contributions made by legislative leaders and political parties…
[Quinn] told reporters Tuesday he wants “to put the people back in politics in Illinois and take big money out of it.”
But he would not say whether that includes contribution limits on parties and leaders.
Here’s the money quote…
“We have to look at all the laws as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court as well. You have to comply with the fundamental law of our country. It’s an endeavor you have to work with a lot of different people, groups, individuals, both in and out of the legislature. The bottom line is to have reform.”
And the House GOP Leader stated his position…
“Any proposal not fully endorsed by Change Illinois will not have my support,” says House Republican Leader Tom Cross of Oswego, drawing a line in the sand on an issue that hits at the core of how politics is played in Illinois.
The Daily Herald polled suburban legislators on the issue…
Of the 20 suburban House Republicans who responded to a survey by the Daily Herald, 13 said they will not vote for legislation if it lacks party limits. Only two said they might not withhold their support. Five declined to say directly either way, holding out to see a final measure.
On the other side of the aisle, just one out of eight suburban House Democrats said they would withhold support. Four said they will vote for legislation without party limits, and three declined to give a firm “yes” or “no.”
The split is a bit less dramatic in the Senate where two of five suburban Senate Democrats said they will not vote for legislation that lacks party limits. Three of nine Republicans said the same.
* Related…
* Marin: Voters accepting no reform imitations
* DuPage Democrats may be on the hook for health care forum costs: A report from Auditor Bob Grogan suggested the $5,142.13 sought for a variety of security and support services provided at the Sept. 15 forum at the county administration building “did not appear to be formally sanctioned by the county board or a (board) committee.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 10:23 am
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By failing to insist on party limits Quinn’s thrown the reformers under the bus again. But they’ll take a deal with some meaningless revision and call it a compromise, which it won’t be.
Comment by MKK Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 10:34 am
Re Leader Cross: lines in the sand have the habit of disappearing with the tide and the wind. I wonder how long his line will last.
Comment by Captain Flume Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 10:49 am
Dorothy Brown, that’s really old school. Kind of amazing given the current Justice Department interest in all things political in Illinois — in the Northern District, anyway.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 10:53 am
Governor, if the bottom line is to have reform, why do you not embrace it without hesitation? As a guy noted for reform, you appear to shun it as governor at a time when Illinoisans are angry with the crime and corruption in state government. As Blagojevich’s Lt. Governor, why are you willing to split hairs when it comes to doing something to curb the corruption in an administration you headed with him?
Since your inauguration, it seems you focused on being re-elected, not addressing our state’s legacy of corruption, fiscal mismanagement and anti-business environment. Why didn’t you demonstrate your gubernatorial skills with the problems we face, and run for re-election as the guy willing to make enemies with tough decisions, instead of simply positioning yourself for re-election and refusing to lead?
With every step you’ve taken over the past ten months as governor, you’ve taken another step back in order to not offend any political group. How is that leadership in times like these? Throughout your career, you demonstrated a willingness to make enemies and take a principled stand. Why did you stop when you became governor?
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:26 am
Dorothy Brown had a nice, cushy public sector management position that didn’t attract much media coverage or a huge amount of goo-goo furor.
But now she steps into the hornet’s nest during a period in which ethics and fiscal (mis)management are red hot topics. And she’s running against three better known African-American candidates, one of whom is the incumbent.
Huh?
Comment by The Doc Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:31 am
Brown is completely clueless. She and Berrios can vie for the ethics prize in government if they’re both elected - God forbid.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:43 am
Oh Dortothy. My goodness. Fox 32 and BGA recently got her good when she held a political campaign press conference at the County Building. I think it was earlier this month. When asked about the improperity of her actions she looked like a deer caught in the headlights. If it hadn’t been so sad, it would have been funny.
I’m guessing that one of her lazy campaign workers is behind the petition gaffe, and not so much her. I would like to think that she and/or her campaign director told volunteers how to circulate petitions properly. But, with cook count/chicago political types, ya never know.
Comment by Will County Woman Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:46 am
I can say knowing a couple of Dorothy Brown employees that she has taken advantage of her position for some time now. She will never get it, or my vote either….
Comment by Anonymous45 Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 12:07 pm
Wow! I just saw the Fox32 report about the Earnfare story. A more careful reading of what Rich posted would have clarified the issue better for me in my previous post.
It’s sad to know that Dorothy Brown thinks that the Earnfare story is a politically motivated attack against her by political enemies. She shouldn’t be in government/politics.
Comment by Will County Woman Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 12:24 pm
Politicians like Dorothy Brown and Todd Stroger came up thru the machine and that’s all they know.
Comment by Emily Booth Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 12:26 pm
Aren’t they truly job skills, though? Do what you’re told, question nothing and shut your mouth?
Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 12:37 pm
There is a Hassan Muhammad who is Danndy Davis’s staff reports. The Executive Director of Concerned Citizens who runs Mother’s House has contributed to Danny Davis. Muhammad also deeded property to Concerned Citizen.
Can anyone say Davis and Brown..sent by someone (Madigan,(top man Fred Moody Brown’s campaign manager), Obrien) To split black vote??
Why are Davis and Brown working together? Are they? Stay Tuned
Comment by blackdem Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 1:16 pm
===There is a Hassan Muhammad who is Danndy Davis’s staff reports. The Executive Director of Concerned Citizens who runs Mother’s House has contributed to Danny Davis. Muhammad also deeded property to Concerned Citizen.
Can anyone say Davis and Brown..sent by someone (Madigan,(top man Fred Moody Brown’s campaign manager), Obrien) To split black vote??
Why are Davis and Brown working together? Are they? Stay Tuned===
Holy incoherence.
Comment by Obamarama Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 1:31 pm
What complaint needs to be filed to initiate a criminal investigation? Does the complaint get filed with the Cook County State’s Attorney? State Board of Elections? AG? Some other office?
Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 1:39 pm
Vote Quimby, in Cook County and Chicago politics those are indeed among some of the best skill-sets to have. They’re even more valuable than a college degree and previous professional work experience.
So blackdem, Todd Stroger fan that you are, you’re suggesting that Brown and Davis are spoilers? For whom Todd or Toni? Toni appeared to be the odds on favorite prior to Terry O’Brien’s entrance into the race.
Toni…Terry…Todd…Danny…Dorothy…
Anybody else notice something here?
Comment by Okay Then... Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 2:01 pm
Dorothy Brown should not be holding office.
Comment by Just wondering Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 2:16 pm
Okey Then
Thats a good question..Toni or Terry..placing the final nail in stroger’s coffin if he doesnt have all of the black vote. toni wont get much, but Danny or Dorothy could do Stroger in as far as the black community. Maybe both would be ok for Daley and Madigan. They keep the status quo if either win. Madigan is helping Brown with fred moody as her manager and Daley seems to have warmed up to Toni as well as allegations that he and his brther John have supported fundraisers for Toni.
Comment by blackdem Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 2:57 pm
Fred Moody!?! Hahahahahaha! Well, that doesn’t do Dorothy Brown any great favor! I am so glad people are FINALLY starting to see through “Madame Clerk” (as she demands to be called by her staff.) I was hoping that eventually she’d be given enough rope to hang herself and show herself to be the narcissistic bald-faced liar I have known her to be since I was a member of her senior staff several years ago (until I caught her red-handed and called her out in a public lie, on a court transcript!) The use of her Ford Expedition and a senior level staff member as her personal chauffeur is only the tip of the iceberg….trust me.
Comment by Former Senior Staff of Madame Clerk Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 4:12 pm
What a fantastic job by Dane Placko. In my opinion he’s the best investigative journalist at any of the Chicago stations (even if it is the least watched).
What a classic response by Dorothy Brown. Don’t address the allegations. Just call it politics and move on. Typical. Problem is she just can’t recognize the difference between right and wrong.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 6:50 pm
Is this a great County or what? Anyone blame Palatine et al for wanting to bolt? Even the circuit court clerk….how nice.
Comment by Bobs yer Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 8:36 pm
I can’t believe we been used all lies i’m back to square one i was doing petitions for 3 months turning in 10-15 sheets a day where my money at i been robbed and i did research how is hassan muhammed your field director isnt he a spokesperson for danny davis.hussan muhammed lied on tv u lied with your comments now wednesday u have no comment u pitiful i’m owe about 3.000 dollars for those petition i been petition for joesph sneed,a ghani,and kari steele luckily it wasnt 3000 dollars
Comment by ANGRY EARNFARE WORKER Thursday, Oct 29, 09 @ 1:00 am
I got three words for u dorothy where’s my money????
Comment by ANGRY EARNFARE WORKER Thursday, Oct 29, 09 @ 4:58 am