CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

Bottom Line — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 09:50:30 -0000

To anon again 10:13pm

what about the people who DIDN'T take voluntary reductions, had interviews and weren't highly paid that got laid off? They were just thrown in to make it look better. Martin, Stout and Doubet sacrificed good people to get to those who abused the system so anon....waht about them?!And by the way, have the voluntary reduction rules been changed?! nooooooo because you will probably do the same when your guy is out!

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

anonymous again — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 23:13:50 -0000

idoter what would you call the rs at idot that are still in expempt positions if these arent carryovers what are they what about the lower levels below sect mgr how many ds were there dont play dumbyou know they were few and very far between you lost guy get over it you try to justify 20 years of pol hires by claiming professioanlism what about the professional exempt people at idot that took voluntary reductions no interview kept their pay and think they should keep their jobs come on it dont sell but keep trying nobodies buying what your selling

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

Licensed in Illinois — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 22:06:30 -0000

Skarfeld: Professional is a proper and correct term to use for registered engineers, surveyors, landscape architects, architects. You don't become professional just because you're promoted. Licensure and the claim to professional status takes accredited education (anywhere from 4 to 6 years), work experience under the supervision of a registered professional and then taking and passing a test (2 days for P.E., 5 days for architects). And those aren't tests someone who went to Pepperdine and got Cs could pass.

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

NumbersGuy — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 00:23:11 -0000

Skarfish, Irv talked big at the Y and at Doc Adams' Pancake House, but if the Governor's Office needed a job to help Howie Carroll for the "greater good", Irv just got outclouted and that was that. He went on to the next battle, knowing it's a long war. I had the pleasure of making some of those calls to Irv and his fellow chairmen.

Irv was definitely savvy enough that he would have counseled a Repub administration not to target a Dem chair's daughter if the tables were turned.

But, that was the "old way."

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

IDOT'er — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 00:17:59 -0000

Anon again 7:49-

FYI I was hired during the Walker admin. by the assistant District Engineer who was a Democrat. But the District Engineer was a Republican holdover from the Ogilvie admin. IDOT hired and fired some people according to politics from Walker thru Ryan, but there always seemed to be "party favors" for both parties according to the clout of some sponsoring state or US legislator, and some hires (engineers, technicians, etc.) where qualifications and ability, not politics, were the hiring criteria.

And BTW, I am an independent who has never done any political work for anyone, and I like it that way.

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

Skarfeld — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 23:55:04 -0000

I would HATE to be a Republican in an exempt position who was kept by this administration if the Red gal wins. I won't mention names either but there are some disbursed throughout state government, namely DNR, DCEO, AGR and on and on. They cut deals to keep their jobs and word is Irv and Tony plan some pretty hefty payback if Judy should win.

As for my democrats who are exempt, I guarantee you we will go out with grace and our heads held high--not whining and crying about our treatment.

As for this argument about "professionals", I found that word was the most overused word by Republicans who had become "professionals" by going from janitors to inventory supervisors to assistant directors, etc. etc. They learned to be professional by getting bumped up the political ladder by their commmitteeman and by Irv.

It wasn't that they were born that way, folks. If you give 10 Dems the same opportunities these Repubs have had they, too, would become "professionals".

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

IDOT Retired — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 23:19:26 -0000

Violating Rutan and targeting the opposite party for jobs/layoff is jaywalking. Political favors have always been a way of life (business as usual) in this state and most of us can accept that. Ryan stood in front of the press like a puppy dog proud of the mischief he had done. The current non-resident of the mansion has taken self-serving politics to a new level and vigorously hides from the media. If RyanÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s behavior was criminal then this administrationÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s is far worseÃ¢â‚¬Â¦if that is possible.

Compromising the mission does not begin to describe what this group has done. Look at the professionals who are leaving and the new hires set to take their place. More with less has been reversed and the Ã¢â‚¬Å“big pictureÃ¢â‚¬Â is now just a snapshot.

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

Skarfeld — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 23:16:34 -0000

I sat at the Springfield YMCA many a morning when Irv Smith held court in the sauna and all I can say to you Numbers Guy is that if you don't believe Irv Smith was viciously partisan then all you're doing is blowing smoke up your skirt. Irv was one vicious dude if you were a Democrat in his line of sight.

If he knew one got hired and got by him it was goodbye baby. Tell me it ain't so.

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

NumbersGuy — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 22:19:13 -0000

Folks, Big W is spot on. Lack of time and and a desire not to embarrass good people cause me not to name names, but in my nearly 30 years in town, every Rupublican administration helped the Dems. At one time, I had the County Chair's kid as a secretary, a Dem state officeholder's best friend as a division head, a Dem senator's top "ground guy" in his district in a big field spot and the list goes on. They all did their jobs and were well respected in our department.
In a subsequent position, the people and jobs were different but the Dem representation in the agency was about the same. (This was all under Thompson and Edgar.) Many old timers can recall the Dems who had a number of people in State jobs, from Howie Carroll a ways back to Jimmy DeLeo and Gary Hannig more recently.

I'm blessedly removed from all of that now, but my sense is that the Blago folks haven't broadly returned the favor. (the exceptions I'm aware of would really p*** off most local R's.)

What remains to be seen at IDOT, and several other places apparently, is twofold. Did the agencies violate Rutan and target Republicans for layoff? Moreover, not that the latter is exactly jaywalking, did they compromise the agencies' missions and services to the public as they "reformed and renewed?" Well, the jury is out, so to speak, and it appears the Cap Fax jury would for the most part vote to hang em high.

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

IDOT Retired — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 21:56:23 -0000

When I left IDOT, it was a highly professional agency despite the political hires. This Governor seems determined to turn it into the most inept organization ever and may have already attained that goal. What a shame. The people of Illinois are being cheated and someone needs to answer.

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

Link — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 21:55:00 -0000

anono this, anon that, anon again, whatever!

We have seen nothing but relatives or ole buddies hired at our agency and they are Democrats. However, we can still think of at least one husband-wife team who still have jobs (albeit elsewhere in the agency) after their terms were up and they are Republican. But their support is primarily local family...

For the most part, there are a considerable number of college buddies, childhood friends and the like of our new "leaders" who are making beaucop dinero - way beyond what they made prior to working for the state. And they ALL came in with this administration.

Heaven help us when we have real disaster on our hands - natural or otherwise - because the new staff do not know what to do and keep their long-term staff out of the loop.

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

El Conquistador — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 21:34:06 -0000

I am not partisan in any way. Look people... of all the agencies truly screwed up under this administration, IDOT's right up there with DNR and Prof. Regulation. These agencies' demise wasn't the result of placing competent people in responsible positions... it's been a ridiculous and complete joke. Time to rid ourselves of the maroons and move forward. The experiment is over.

While some of you may doubt JBT, she's a straight shooter and exactly what the state needs to stop the disintegration of state gov't, its financial standing and the services it offers.

Or, we can re-elect a goofball that will be indicted along with many of his admin. in the next year or so. Wake up. There's a reality after Nov. And Blago cannot escape it regardless of campaign finances. What do people actually think is going to happen with this guy and his cronies after Nov.? That it's all going to go away???

Try focusing on next year and think about what you want in state gov't.

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

Concern Citizen — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 21:24:59 -0000

When are we as taxpayers say enough is enough whether Dem or Republican. Our taxs are rising, no money for schools, afforable housing, teachers ect. ect. and we have Tim Martin and his merry deputies bleeding the State dry

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

Budget Watcher — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 21:11:59 -0000

Winning an election doesn't exempt anyone from obeying our laws. If no laws were broken, then the administration and the defendents win and we all move on... otherwise, this could be entertaining to watch.

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

anonymous again — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 20:49:06 -0000

IDOTer so let me get this the current admin was suppose to keep all the double exempt employees from the convicted ryan administration? Doesn't sound right does it you lost get over it. How many dems work for JBT?

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

Rex — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 20:42:49 -0000

I can hardly wait until Moe, Larry, and Curly get their termination letter...your services are no longer needed. I hope every word is shoved right down their throats.

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

Ghost Buster — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 20:15:57 -0000

um yes I did read the post but it had no mention of leahey on my computer. must of has somthing to do with your post?

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

Future Lottery Winner — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 20:02:58 -0000

Hang on Topinka, I'm about to win the Lottery!

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

IDOT'er — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 19:57:30 -0000

There are some Repub holdovers at IDOT (mostly Highway Maintainers), however most employees are apolitical, especially the technical staff. 50 Dems at IDOT should be easy to spot, falling down. 9 Districts each with an Admin Manager and 2 or 3 politically-connected administrative assistants and liaisons (many more in District 1). Any employee or official of Bureau of Traffic Safety hired after 2002. The staff of External Affairs or whatever it is called now. 5 or 10 assistant secretaries of Transportation, their toadys, and Mr. Martin himself. Am I to 50 yet?

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

roadkill — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 19:57:03 -0000

I can't wait to see the dirt that comes out of IDOT in this case and the federal hiring probe. Several highly qualified transportation professionals left the agency during the last three years because they didn't want to be accused of breaking the law or going along with any of the political shenanigans of the clowns who are now in charge.

We're all paying the price for the blunders that Martin and company have made. Everything was political under Ryan, but he looks like a petty thief compared to what the Blago boys are trying to get away with.

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

anonymous — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 19:37:05 -0000

big w--which state government have you worked for for years? because I've worked in Illinois and I think that's just crazy talk. very few dems hired and if you were a dem you were advised to put a sock in your mouth rather than talk politics. and these poor suffering Repubs under current administration? you need to take another survey because survey says--still lots of Republicans

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

anonymous again — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 19:05:20 -0000

Big W pass me the joint if thats what you are smoking i have also worked at a large agency for years and if you can identify morre than fifty dem out of 6000(IDOT) you shoul play the big lotto you guys lost get over it how many dems have worked for JBT the last 4 years probably cant fit them all in here can you thats were you guys loose the public you say stuff that absolutely no one buys keep it up its the best help we can get now

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

Big W — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 18:20:34 -0000

Well the way I see it may not be the way you all see it, However, I have worked in State Gov. for years, and ther is a certain amount (alot) of pay to play as in all politics, I have worked for years, underline years, beside Repubs and Dems....But when this Administration came to power,,,,the Repubs were either gone or moved or demoted......Dems were hired under the Repub reign.....No Repubs are being hired under the Dem reign.....and there is a problem here, just go to the DOT, Public Aid, or the DNR and try to get any answers.....You Can't,,,,,,they just don't know how to run the depts.......ask any Legislator or an aid to the Legislator and they can tell you NO-one knows anything! We definately need a change....a reformer that will hire people who deserve the job not just because they or thier family gave them Money....it's just a shame!!!!

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

disgusted — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 18:06:18 -0000

To values matter - Monday, Aug 28, 06 @ 11:37 pm, you have made a true and interesting point, and I agree with you 100%. Blago has made many, many, many mistakes and one was when he pointed out that no employee would lose their job based on political affiliations. Yet, he did exactly the opposite of what he stated. Just for the record, I supported this Governor because I believed the spew of lies that came out of his mouth and I was disgusted with the games Ryan played. Well guess what, its Ryan (only worse) with a different face on his body.

Re: Bad news for IDOT leaders – Updated x1

NumbersGuy — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 15:47:12 -0000

FYI, friends, the event Mary Lee is speaking at next month at the Sangamo Club is open to anyone with the price of admission. (Unless it's already sold out.)

BTW, I would hardly put Sangamo and Bob-O-Link in the same category of private clubs. If Sangamo took NumbersGuy as a member, they can't be too exclusive.