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The Tribune has the big story of the day.
Two months before Gov. Rod Blagojevich unveiled plans to add keno to the state lottery, one of his longtime confidants became a lobbyist for the gambling company likely to run the new game.
John Wyma, a top aide when Blagojevich was in Congress and later the political director for his 2002 campaign for governor, registered with the state in November as a lobbyist for GTECH Corp.
Wyma said Wednesday that he lobbied no one about keno, and a GTECH official said that when Wyma was hired as a lobbyist in November, the firm was already in discussions with the state about keno.
So, he registered as a lobbyist but he didn’t lobby anyone about a proposal that could reap millions for his client?
There’s also this:
In a 2002 questionnaire, Blagojevich told Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems that he opposed “electronic gambling devices” in bars, restaurants and clubs, according to a copy of the group’s survey. Advocates said that covers keno.
Also, Rep. Mike Boland (D-East Moline) said a Blagojevich official told him two years ago the governor wouldn’t back the lawmaker’s keno proposal because it would be an expansion. A governor’s spokesman also told the Alton Telegraph that keno would be an expansion, according to an article published in August 2003.
Administration officials say they don’t know what Boland is talking about and that the spokesman inaccurately represented the governor’s views in the Alton paper. A Blagojevich spokeswoman said Wednesday the governor was talking about more addictive games like video poker.
Oops.
UPDATE: Eisendrath press release:
“The Governor is asking everyone to take a chance on gaming but he and his political friends have already fixed their winning ticket. It’s just another example of the way this administration puts its own political ambitions before everything else,†said Edwin Eisendrath, Democratic candidate for Governor and former Clinton appointee. […]
Blagojevich wants to install lottery style keno games in bars and restaurants across the state. But for the past four years, he has been on the record as opposing such a move proving once again that the Governor cannot be trusted to keep his word to the people of Illinois.
“The Governor was against it but now that he’s fighting to keep his job, he’s suddenly for it probably because he sees more campaign contributions coming from this,†said Eisendrath. “We simply cannot trust him.â€
UPDATE 2: From Ron Gidwitz’s campaign:
“Yesterday this was a bad idea, today this is just outrageous. This whole thing does not begin to pass the smell test and our lawmakers need to reject this for what it is: a scheme intended to enrich the governor’s friends while providing him the river of cash on which to ride his political showboat during this election season,†Gidwitz said.
Gidwitz’s running mate, State Senator Steve Rauschenberger agrees. “This is the biggest expansion of gambling since the introduction of the Illinois lottery and this governor wants to do it without any public debate whatsoever. Expanding gambling under an administration already cloaked in an ethical cloud just takes public cynicism to a new low.â€
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 12, 06 @ 8:30 am
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Liar, Liar!! Blago gets caught with his pants on fire!! Again!!
Comment by BIG R.PH Thursday, Jan 12, 06 @ 8:37 am
Isn’t this going to make gambling even easier and lead more potential gambling addicts into addiction.
Not to mention that those who are adversely affected the most economically are those who are lower on the income scale and yet gamble.
The Santa Claus governor giveth and taketh away. Over here, he giveth cheap housing and cheap health insurance, thus freeing up more money for lower income citizens to gamble with a couple of blocks away at the local family restaurant.
A clever way to get low income citizens to fund their own welfare?
Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Jan 12, 06 @ 9:29 am
Wyma saying he never lobbied the administration on Keno is laughable. Forutnately most educated voters are knowledgeable about Rod and his cronies little games. I have no problem with people taking care of their friends if they are qualified and it’s done on the up and up, just don’t b.s me Mr. Wyma.
Comment by EvanstonBoy Thursday, Jan 12, 06 @ 9:34 am
Harmless Entertainment! Gamble Responsibily!
Goveror Rod PinoKeno
Comment by Pat Hickey Thursday, Jan 12, 06 @ 9:52 am
want some fries with that grease?
Comment by Mike's Used Sport's Section Thursday, Jan 12, 06 @ 9:53 am
What is difference between Ryan selling licenses and AROD selling the state.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Thursday, Jan 12, 06 @ 10:53 am
I would add one more thing when he says video poker is more addictive than keno so let me get this straight heroin is more addictive than cocaine so it is o.k. to do cocaine.Eveytime I hear one of thier ignorant statements I put two more knots on my head where I bang it on the wall.I really voted for this clown.Hey GOP your new sign “WELCOME BACK” really is inviting.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Thursday, Jan 12, 06 @ 11:02 am
I would like to hear Alderman Dick Mell’s take on this latest fiasco from his son-in-law. When your own father-in-law says you are “For Sale”, that says it all. I wonder if Dick Mell has sent in a campaign contribution to Ed Eisendrath yet?
Comment by Beowulf Thursday, Jan 12, 06 @ 2:18 pm
Won’t the Governor’s Keno proposal require the creation of a new fund in the Treasury? Funds coming into the Common School Fund can’t be segregated, to pay for special projects. It would seem he will have to ask the legislature to set up a new fund for using Keno proceeds to fund school construction.
Comment by Springfield Observer Thursday, Jan 12, 06 @ 4:26 pm
It is astounding to me that some enterprising reporters have not delved further into the lobbying activities of people like Wyma and Milan Petrovic. Prior to 2003 these guys didn’t know where the state capitol was much less any knowledge of the system. Now every major player hires these two. Even lobbyists hire them for access. This takes pay to play to new levels.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Jan 12, 06 @ 5:37 pm
Had this Milan Petrovic done any business with Tony Rezko?
Comment by Anon Thursday, Jan 12, 06 @ 11:19 pm