CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Impeachment hearing open thread

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Maggie — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:21:21 -0000

Does anyone else think Obama made the call to the Illinois Democrat legislature to go easy on Burris ? The Republicans will do nothing because they are so stupid they think Burris will be easier to beat. Yeah right. Like the Illinois voters have the attention span to remember any of this in 2 years. It's a blue state you fools.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Maggie — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:33:01 -0000

To 32RV - You need to focus a little better. This impeachment started with Blago trying to sell this very senate seat. If this isn't pertinent to the impeachment case then it is all just show. Of which I'm beginning to believe.
Looks like he has already gotten away with seating Burris. What would make anyone here think the Democrat Illinois legislature would have anymore testicular virility than the U.S. Senate. It's all a big SHAM.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Steve Brown — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:25:25 -0000

Rich might still be snoozin, so I'll help him out
The following has been sent to all House members

MICHAEL J. MADIGAN ROOM 300
SPEAKER STATE HOUSE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 62706

Memorandum January 7, 2009

To: All House Members

From: Speaker Michael J. Madigan

Re: House Special Investigative Committee

The House Special Investigative Committee will have a proposed report available for review on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 9 a.m.

For House Members, a printed copy of the proposed report will be delivered to your Springfield legislative office by 9 a.m.

For the public, the proposed report will be available via the web at www.ilga.gov.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Sweet Polly Purebred — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:08:45 -0000

Oh and did I mention that a number of our gifts from the gov had "ENHANCED" their resumes with false educational and professional credentials? This is usually an undisputed reason for termination, but in their cases, they were allowed to "CORRECT" their resumes and retain their positions. Then, of course we have the ghost employees. These people show up out of the blue for positions that had never before existed, much less been posted, work in the Springfield offices a few days a week for a month or two and then are never seen again. You know there is a problem when your CIO sends out an email to Chicago employees reminding them that if they sign out as "WORKING IN SPRINGFIELD" they must report to their office in Springfield and that they could not sign out a week at a time. Timesheets were to be filled in EACH DAY. But by far, my favorite is the 60 or 75 day "EMERGENCY" contract. These contracts allow an agency to bring in a former employee or outsider who it has been determined possesses the "unique skills" needed on a temp basis. These contracts allow someone to receive FULL pay for the day if they work as LITTLE as an hour that day and in addition, still continue to receive their STATE PENSION.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Sweet Polly Purebred — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:45:45 -0000

Sometime after "the 35" were led out in the notorious perp walk, DHS marched out 3 BAS employees - Pat Lonski, Matt Magalis and Victor Kerpita with the intention of firing them. But, because of the flak over the 35, DHS chose to place them all on PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE to get them out of the gov's appointees way. All three were qualified for their position and did a fine job. They were removed for the same reason the 35 were - they happened to work under a GOP admin and the gov wanted their jobs to reward his friends. Mr. Lonski was Business Services chief making over $100,000 a year. The position was then filled with what could only be termed a gift from the gov - a black female with NO Business Services experience. After Mr. Lonski had been on paid leave for OVER 16 MONTHS, this issue was addressed via email to the Secretary. Her response was, that while it was true that we were paying two people to do the job - DHS was continuing to look to place Mr. Lonski in an "appropriate" position. Not long after this email exchange, Mr. Lonski was placed at Hay-Edwards and as punishment, all duties removed from him, where he stayed until his decision to leave the agency. The Matt Magalis mentioned here is the same one who had the courage to blow the whistle on the gov's people not all that long ago. This and other issues regarding hiring were taken to the OEIG by me in the form of a formal complaint. That process in itself was a nightmare. There is no such thing as an anonymous complaint. They would not take a complaint without a name and a written form. A form that stated that if it was felt necessary by the OEIG, my NAME could be given to superiors in my agency and that the final decision as to whether the complaint was founded - deserving of further investigation or unfounded would be made by the gov and/or the Secretary of my agency. I knew at that point that my complaint was doomed. Why would either of them find on the side of hiring misconduct for GOD's SAKE. Is it any wonder Z. Scott made the comments she made regarding her frustration over the lack of complaints making their way through the system for prosecution. No wonder she LEFT so early in her term.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Question — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:45:07 -0000

Bob Ayra was "let go" from his position. I bet he has something good to say. That is why I asked the question.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Blago Sphere — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:20:40 -0000

What's the deal with the Chiago Christian Industrial League having secured $10.8 million through the state to finance its new homeless shelter?

According to Novak in the Bright One:

{â€œCCIL finds itself in a very precarious financial situation,â€ McIntyre wrote. â€œFor the first time in our history we are facing a possible bankruptcy. . . We love our new facility, and all the energy-saving features of this building have allowed us to keep our operating expenses reasonable, but the overwhelming debt has left us weakened financially.â€

Since it left Greektown, the charity now serves fewer homeless people, struggles to pay its bills and has gotten permission from its lenders to delay payments on the money it owes.}

How can the state be renegotiating the loan terms with an agency that owes it $10.8 million and is struggling to pay its debt, while at the same time employing the Governor's wife for $100,000.

That would sure seem to be an ethical conflict of interest; wouldn't it? Which agency is it that lent them the money?

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:06:25 -0000

I wouldn't be surprised if the committee ignores that letter from bob Arya.

That guy was the biggest blowhard I ever met. In my only direct conversation with him, he tried to pretend he was thisclose to the Governor. Several things he said made it immediately apparent that he was full of it.

I don't know why he would want to appear to be buddy-buddy with Blago. That simply escapes me! LOL

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Bebe — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:49:28 -0000

Yes, Mike Z is the same State Rep elect Mike Zalewski. Also very reliable sources told me that this report was possible only because IDES top management cooperated with the OEIG. Similar events took place in other agencies, which were more willing to go along with Cini's office, and were not as cooperative with the OEIG. Remember Dawn Defraites and Mike Casey? Ask them.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

18 minutes missing? — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:40:44 -0000

Where is exhibit 45 and 46? They said something about a letter former communications director Bob Aria... so what was it?

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Question — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:53:17 -0000

Why are exhits 45 and 46 missing?

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Downstate Cook County (Macoupi — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:46:32 -0000

Joe Cini mentioned, oh my. Looks like the Flood gates may be opened soon as well. Get it Sam?

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Bobs yer — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:42:12 -0000

Stock Tip:

BUY: Illinois Republican Party shares for 2010.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Sticking up — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:27:14 -0000

Let's be careful with the "tanning" remarks folks. John Fritchey is rightly proud of his Moroccan ancestry.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

pontiacstaff — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:56:39 -0000

Maybe some will remember a couple years ago when Blago's daughter received a sum of money for a 'birthday gift.' This was from friends of his of which the wife recieved a job in one county, but worked in Cook Co. Also, a female was hired for a vacant Administrative Asst. position at Pontiac Corr Ctr., but never worked a day here. Guess where - yes, Cook County!

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Cecil — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:56:17 -0000

First they use the "Public Intern" loop hole. Now they are using the "60 Day Emergency Hire" loop hole under contract. When the 60 days are up, they roll them over to another 60 days, then another, and another, and........

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Cheswick — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:52:50 -0000

Blagojevich and his people have nothing but disdain for the people of Illinois, laws, rules, veterans preferences, and the process to nominate a U.S. Senator. Why should we accept his nominee?

Page four of the PDF (or page 1 of the report):

"The OEIG found that in many of the reported cases, the HR Department of IDES, in conjunction with individuals in the Governor's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs ("GOIA"), manipulated titles, credentials, positions, position location, or other criteria to fit candidates sponsored by GOIA into positions at IDES without following State law or normal State hiring protocol. This task was accomplished throught the use of mechanisms designed to avoid veterans' preference hiring in non-exempt positions as well as through the creation of positions, titles and job responsibilities."

Last two sentences on page 12 of the PDF (or page 9 of the report):

"In regards to the hiring concerns voiced by [Tim] Walker, Cini told Walker that GOIA needed to place people in positions for which they have no experience, and they "can be dealt with later." Cini also said that the Governor's Office determines the hiring process, not the agency (in this case, IDES)."

End quotes.

Walker was apparently doing the job of hiring the way he thought best for IDES. Can't have that, so they later found a way to get rid of Walker.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Cheswick — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:28:54 -0000

The Cook County Bar Association is seeking leave to file an Amicus Brief in support of Roland Burris. They want to give the Court "the opinions rendered by legal scholars and persons of authority..."

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Cheswick — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:21:15 -0000

Nero, so does Mike Madigan's wife and Lisa's mom.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Nero — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:16:19 -0000

Just noticed that Ed Genson sits on the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Board of Trustees he must've been called to a special meeting today by the Gov.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

47th Ward — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:02:16 -0000

Anybody think the Governor is going to comply with the newest subpeona? Me neither. Like waiting for the release of the tapes, this is another complete waste of time.

Illinois Held Hostage: Day 29.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

To 32RV — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:01:55 -0000

I'm sure the committee is going to remember that they're investigating Blago, not Roland. Stay focused.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Maggie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:22:21 -0000

What is going on here ? Channel 7 just said the house does not need to speak to Burris tomorrow. Is everyone in this state wimps ?
Put the fire to this guy and make him answer questions. Like how many state contracts his family has gotten from Blagojevich ? I just can't believe they are going to seat this clown.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

32nd Ward Roscoe Village — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:19:29 -0000

Memo to Rep. Fritchey:

I voted to elect you and I am also in the 5th District so will be voting the special election. Since the US Senate has wimped out, I am looking to you to grill, and I mean GRILL, Burris tomorrow about all his improprieties, his partner getting Patty a job, his donations to RRB's campaign, etc., so that you can show the US Senate that there were improprieties with RRB appointing him to the Senate. Use the skills you learned in at NU law school. The voters are watching.

Re: Impeachment hearing open thread

Vote Quimby! — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:17:13 -0000

Must be good stuff on the tapes--didn't the defense attorney say he wanted ALL the tapes released and now doesn't want any? Can't wait to hear them!