STATE: Law would curb family succession
08/28/2008, 10:28 am
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Andrea Zelinski, sng2@springnet1.com, 217-524-5797,
In Illinois, politics is all in the family.
But state Sen. Matt Murphy, R-Palatine, thinks it's time for a divorce.
He plans to introduce a bill this week that would make it harder for politicians who bow out of an election to pave the way to appoint someone of their choosing -- like a son or a daughter.
"I think people are fed up. They are offended that so many Chicago politicians seem to think they have a right to hand down a public office to their children," he said. "They don't trust us. Things like handing off a seat and carving voters out of the process makes it hard for them to trust us."
Just last week, Sen. President Emil Jones withdrew his name from the November ballot after announcing his retirement. His son, Emil Jones III, promptly filled his spot on the ticket after an approval from the district's Democratic committeemen.
State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, was appointed to his Senate seat in 2005 after his father, former Sen. Denny Jacobs, stepped down from office.
"If you're dad's a fireman, you're going to be interested in being a firefighter. If you're dad's a construction worker, you're going to be interested in construction," said Jacobs, a fourth-generation elected official. "My father happened to be a politician."
Democratic Party chairmen appointed him in 2005 -- although sitting Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline, expressed interest in the post. Jacobs ran his first successful election as an incumbent in 2007.
County political committees choose who will fill mid-term and pre-election vacancies, said state Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, who serves as chairman for Bureau County Democrats.
He, too, was appointed to fill his father's seat in the General Assembly after state Rep. Richard Mautino died in office in 1991.
"Whenever this happens, it hits a nerve with the public," said Cindi Canary of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. "What tends to get people's goats is when it appears to be very blatant when it's their son or daughter."
While Murphy said the bill isn't specifically aimed at Jones, the matter did renew some questions he's had about the political appointment process.
In 1987, Kankakee Democratic County Chairman Phil Novak appointed himself to fill a vacancy in the House of Representatives.
Murphy said his bill would encompass federal, state and local politicians and would only be exempt in the event of a lawmaker's death in office or a debilitating illness that prevents them from serving their post.
The bill would require those recusing themselves from the election to make that decision official 90 days before the ballot is certified. In the case of Jones' retirement, he would have had to make that call by the end of May.
Under the proposed legislation, there then would be a special primary election where voters could choose between party candidates looking to fill the senator's seat in the November election.
But that's an expensive venture, says Ron Michaelson, former head of the State Board of Elections. The cost to rent polling places, pay election judges, order supplies and pay printing costs all will fall to taxpayers, he noted.
"It's a pretty tricky issue to solve," Michaelson
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Obama's Illinois Democrat Party--Not exactly a model of how to govern...Interesting Article from today's Daily Herald
When Barack Obama announced his candidacy for president from the steps of the Old State Capitol, he described Springfield as the crucible where he learned the art of politics and bridging division.
"It was here in Springfield where I saw all that is America converge," he told a crowd of thousands that frigid February day in 2007. "It was here where we learned to disagree without being disagreeable. That it is possible to compromise so long as you know those principles that can never be compromised. And that so long as we are willing to listen to each other we can assume the best in people instead of the worst."
One has to wonder today what Springfield Obama was talking about.
Given complete control of state government, Illinois Democrats have produced unbalanced budgets, callous funding cuts, and antagonistic gridlock.
Yet the Democratic leader Obama describes as his political mentor believed state lawmakers deserved a pay raise for their work.
And the Democratic governor whose administration is under criminal investigation is quick to remind anyone listening of Obama's ties to those in trouble.
Plus, the Democrat who Obama backed for Cook County Board president produced the nation's highest sales tax.
Sheesh, it seems like enough to make Obama bid aloha to his adopted Land of Lincoln and start calling himself a Hawaiian Democrat. In the midst of Obama's shining moment in Denver this week, the Illinois Democratic Party could be a political blemish.
"I would guess they're going to try to keep Illinois out of the spotlight and if Illinois is in the spotlight, it will be a challenge for them to show the unity and hope that the national campaign is trying to emphasize," said John S. Jackson, political scientist and author who's written about presidential races, Obama's career and Illinois politics.
Some Illinois Democrats seem to recognize this. Gov. Rod Blagojevich was recently asked if he had any official role in this weeklong coronation of Obama.
"I've got a big speaking role," Blagojevich said. "I think it's something like four o'clock in the morning in the men's room of the convention center speaking to a handful of voters. I'm hopeful I can persuade them and we can carry Colorado.
The line might be funnier if Blagojevich hadn't used it four years earlier.
But there's little humor among the state's Democrats these days.
"They kill jobs. They kill education funding, they try to take away health care from people," the governor recently said of the Democrats in the Illinois House.
And in a recent memo, Illinois House Speaker and Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan criticized labor heads for buying into "the (expletive deleted) of the Blagojevich people."
Heading into this Democratic celebration, Illinois Democrats are downplaying their differences and painting the picture of a party united behind Obama, who was back in Springfield Saturday to appear with is running mate, Joe Biden.
"At this moment, everyone's on the same page," said Steve Brown, Madigan's spokesman, noting that Democrats moved up the Illinois primary to increase the visibility of Illinois and Obama's campaign.
The Chicago Democrat's presidential campaign offered this comment when asked whether it was concerned about the Illinois dysfunction becoming a political problem.
"Voters know that in Illinois and in Washington, Barack Obama stood up to members of both parties to pass sweeping ethics reforms that reduced the influence of money and special interests over the legislative process," said Illinois spokesman Justin DeJong.
Still, while the Illinois delegation will be front-and-center when Obama takes the stage later this week, don't look for him to tout any great accomplishments from back home. The ethics legislation he championed has been deemed insufficient. The new, tougher version lawmakers sent to the governor has - in a truly Illinois move - become a bargaining chip in a battle over billions worth of government spending.
Obama's campaign promises to bring national health care. But Illinois' venture into expanded health care has produced turmoil at every turn. Obama's idea of taxing employers who don't provide benefits to pay for health care is one that was rejected here.
Meanwhile, the Illinois Republican Party is trying to capitalize on this Democratic dysfunction, saying Democrats have failed at their chance to run the state. Don't be surprised if the McCain campaign doesn't also begin using this as ammunition.
"The campaign is aware of what's going on in Illinois," said Western Springs Republican state Rep. Jim Durkin, co-chair of McCain's Illinois effort. "I think it's fair game and I think the Republicans nationally should pounce on it."
With friends like these...
Here's a look at some of the key figures in Illinois politics and why Barack Obama might not want them in the spotlight.
Todd Stroger: Already facing claims of nepotism and cronyism regarding his ascension to Cook County Board president, Stroger then pushed a sales tax hike that makes the county's the highest in the country. Obama backed Stroger for the post.
Emil Jones Jr.: Obama's political mentor is an old-school Chicago Democrat who steered state money to favored institutions and got family on state payroll. Amidst recent Illinois financial gridlock, Jones wanted higher pay for lawmakers.
Michael Madigan: After Obama's pick for state treasurer - Alexi Giannoulias - beat Madigan's in 2006, the Illinois House speaker and Democratic Party chairman contemptuously called Obama "the Messiah." They've since buried the hatchet. Accused of thwarting the governor's agenda to advance his daughter, the state's attorney general.
Rod Blagojevich: During a recent spat with reporters, the Illinois governor repeatedly brought up Obama's name when asked about the conviction of Blagojevich's political fundraiser and adviser Tony Rezko. Blagojevich's administration is under federal investigation for its hiring and contracting practices.
Tony Rezko: Convicted this year for a multimillion-dollar state pension kickback scheme he orchestrated trading on his clout with the governor. Also had been a longtime pal of Obama who most recently helped the Obamas buy their Hyde Park mansion in 2005.
"It was here in Springfield where I saw all that is America converge," he told a crowd of thousands that frigid February day in 2007. "It was here where we learned to disagree without being disagreeable. That it is possible to compromise so long as you know those principles that can never be compromised. And that so long as we are willing to listen to each other we can assume the best in people instead of the worst."
One has to wonder today what Springfield Obama was talking about.
Given complete control of state government, Illinois Democrats have produced unbalanced budgets, callous funding cuts, and antagonistic gridlock.
Yet the Democratic leader Obama describes as his political mentor believed state lawmakers deserved a pay raise for their work.
And the Democratic governor whose administration is under criminal investigation is quick to remind anyone listening of Obama's ties to those in trouble.
Plus, the Democrat who Obama backed for Cook County Board president produced the nation's highest sales tax.
Sheesh, it seems like enough to make Obama bid aloha to his adopted Land of Lincoln and start calling himself a Hawaiian Democrat. In the midst of Obama's shining moment in Denver this week, the Illinois Democratic Party could be a political blemish.
"I would guess they're going to try to keep Illinois out of the spotlight and if Illinois is in the spotlight, it will be a challenge for them to show the unity and hope that the national campaign is trying to emphasize," said John S. Jackson, political scientist and author who's written about presidential races, Obama's career and Illinois politics.
Some Illinois Democrats seem to recognize this. Gov. Rod Blagojevich was recently asked if he had any official role in this weeklong coronation of Obama.
"I've got a big speaking role," Blagojevich said. "I think it's something like four o'clock in the morning in the men's room of the convention center speaking to a handful of voters. I'm hopeful I can persuade them and we can carry Colorado.
The line might be funnier if Blagojevich hadn't used it four years earlier.
But there's little humor among the state's Democrats these days.
"They kill jobs. They kill education funding, they try to take away health care from people," the governor recently said of the Democrats in the Illinois House.
And in a recent memo, Illinois House Speaker and Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan criticized labor heads for buying into "the (expletive deleted) of the Blagojevich people."
Heading into this Democratic celebration, Illinois Democrats are downplaying their differences and painting the picture of a party united behind Obama, who was back in Springfield Saturday to appear with is running mate, Joe Biden.
"At this moment, everyone's on the same page," said Steve Brown, Madigan's spokesman, noting that Democrats moved up the Illinois primary to increase the visibility of Illinois and Obama's campaign.
The Chicago Democrat's presidential campaign offered this comment when asked whether it was concerned about the Illinois dysfunction becoming a political problem.
"Voters know that in Illinois and in Washington, Barack Obama stood up to members of both parties to pass sweeping ethics reforms that reduced the influence of money and special interests over the legislative process," said Illinois spokesman Justin DeJong.
Still, while the Illinois delegation will be front-and-center when Obama takes the stage later this week, don't look for him to tout any great accomplishments from back home. The ethics legislation he championed has been deemed insufficient. The new, tougher version lawmakers sent to the governor has - in a truly Illinois move - become a bargaining chip in a battle over billions worth of government spending.
Obama's campaign promises to bring national health care. But Illinois' venture into expanded health care has produced turmoil at every turn. Obama's idea of taxing employers who don't provide benefits to pay for health care is one that was rejected here.
Meanwhile, the Illinois Republican Party is trying to capitalize on this Democratic dysfunction, saying Democrats have failed at their chance to run the state. Don't be surprised if the McCain campaign doesn't also begin using this as ammunition.
"The campaign is aware of what's going on in Illinois," said Western Springs Republican state Rep. Jim Durkin, co-chair of McCain's Illinois effort. "I think it's fair game and I think the Republicans nationally should pounce on it."
With friends like these...
Here's a look at some of the key figures in Illinois politics and why Barack Obama might not want them in the spotlight.
Todd Stroger: Already facing claims of nepotism and cronyism regarding his ascension to Cook County Board president, Stroger then pushed a sales tax hike that makes the county's the highest in the country. Obama backed Stroger for the post.
Emil Jones Jr.: Obama's political mentor is an old-school Chicago Democrat who steered state money to favored institutions and got family on state payroll. Amidst recent Illinois financial gridlock, Jones wanted higher pay for lawmakers.
Michael Madigan: After Obama's pick for state treasurer - Alexi Giannoulias - beat Madigan's in 2006, the Illinois House speaker and Democratic Party chairman contemptuously called Obama "the Messiah." They've since buried the hatchet. Accused of thwarting the governor's agenda to advance his daughter, the state's attorney general.
Rod Blagojevich: During a recent spat with reporters, the Illinois governor repeatedly brought up Obama's name when asked about the conviction of Blagojevich's political fundraiser and adviser Tony Rezko. Blagojevich's administration is under federal investigation for its hiring and contracting practices.
Tony Rezko: Convicted this year for a multimillion-dollar state pension kickback scheme he orchestrated trading on his clout with the governor. Also had been a longtime pal of Obama who most recently helped the Obamas buy their Hyde Park mansion in 2005.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
While The Economy Goes From Bad To Worse The Legislature Engages In Politics As Usual...
Do-nothing special legislative session called a 'sham'
By Kurt Erickson
kurt-erickson@lee.net
Advertisement
SPRINGFIELD -- The question of the day for many state lawmakers Tuesday was: Why are we here? Called into special session by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, members of the House and Senate were directed to do something about the state’s school funding formula, which allows wide disparities in funding levels among the state’s 800-plus school districts.
But nearly everyone agreed the topic simply cannot be handled in a one-day, hours long session.
“It’s absurd,” said state Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth. “We know we can’t accomplish anything.”
Mitchell was among those who were particularly bothered by the $40,000 cost of calling lawmakers back to town at a time when budget cuts have affected numerous parts of state government. The issue, instead, should be dealt with during the regular legislative session which runs from January until June, he said.
House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, slammed Blagojevich for calling the special session.
“Today is a joke. It’s a sham. It’s a farce,” Cross said.
If nothing else, the special session put a spotlight on an issue that has been percolating for years.
In recent weeks, state Sen. James Meeks, a Calumet City Democrat, has brought the disparities in school funding to the forefront again.
Meeks, pastor of a large Chicago church, is calling for Chicago Public School students to boycott the first day of classes next month to protest a lack of state funding. He made his pitch for a funding revamp to Senate Democrats Tuesday, but emerged angry that Blagojevich was spending more time at the state fairgrounds Tuesday than meeting with lawmakers.
“He did not call a special session to deal with cows. He called a special session to deal with kids,” Meeks said. “If his priority is cows rather than kids, I guess he proved that today.”
Blagojevich says he opposes getting rid of local property taxes as the primary funding source for schools. He also said he’d veto any tax increase for education.
“I’m not going to raise taxes on people,” Blagojevich told reporters on Friday.
To avoid having to raise taxes for schools, Blagojevich previously called for using money from selling the state lottery to finance schools.
But, he now wants to use those proceeds to pay for a $25 billion public works program.
At the Illinois State Fair Tuesday evening, Blagojevich expressed disappointment.
“It’s disappointing to see that all the lawmakers did was convene for about a half an hour -not many of them showed up -and that was their answer for education funding,” the governor said.
By Kurt Erickson
kurt-erickson@lee.net
Advertisement
SPRINGFIELD -- The question of the day for many state lawmakers Tuesday was: Why are we here? Called into special session by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, members of the House and Senate were directed to do something about the state’s school funding formula, which allows wide disparities in funding levels among the state’s 800-plus school districts.
But nearly everyone agreed the topic simply cannot be handled in a one-day, hours long session.
“It’s absurd,” said state Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth. “We know we can’t accomplish anything.”
Mitchell was among those who were particularly bothered by the $40,000 cost of calling lawmakers back to town at a time when budget cuts have affected numerous parts of state government. The issue, instead, should be dealt with during the regular legislative session which runs from January until June, he said.
House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, slammed Blagojevich for calling the special session.
“Today is a joke. It’s a sham. It’s a farce,” Cross said.
If nothing else, the special session put a spotlight on an issue that has been percolating for years.
In recent weeks, state Sen. James Meeks, a Calumet City Democrat, has brought the disparities in school funding to the forefront again.
Meeks, pastor of a large Chicago church, is calling for Chicago Public School students to boycott the first day of classes next month to protest a lack of state funding. He made his pitch for a funding revamp to Senate Democrats Tuesday, but emerged angry that Blagojevich was spending more time at the state fairgrounds Tuesday than meeting with lawmakers.
“He did not call a special session to deal with cows. He called a special session to deal with kids,” Meeks said. “If his priority is cows rather than kids, I guess he proved that today.”
Blagojevich says he opposes getting rid of local property taxes as the primary funding source for schools. He also said he’d veto any tax increase for education.
“I’m not going to raise taxes on people,” Blagojevich told reporters on Friday.
To avoid having to raise taxes for schools, Blagojevich previously called for using money from selling the state lottery to finance schools.
But, he now wants to use those proceeds to pay for a $25 billion public works program.
At the Illinois State Fair Tuesday evening, Blagojevich expressed disappointment.
“It’s disappointing to see that all the lawmakers did was convene for about a half an hour -not many of them showed up -and that was their answer for education funding,” the governor said.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Lake Forest Days Parade
I hope to see you and your family at the upcoming Lake Forest Days Parade on Wed, August 6th in downtown Lake Forest at 10am. I'll be there marching in the parade and talking with voters along with my friends and supporters. If you are so inclined, join our parade entry and march with us! There is always room for more people. See you Wed.
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