DISQUS

wordslinger · 11 months ago

Is this Blago's first trip to Springfield since his arrest?

What's the over/under on his ground time in Springfield?

Anonymous Coward · 11 months ago

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Posted Jan 14, 2009 @ 11:10 AM

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's acting chief of staff has written a letter to all state employees to bolster flagging spirits in one of the state's rockier periods.

Clayton Harris III wrote of his "sincere appreciation for your continued public service" to more than 60,000 workers in a letter obtained by The Associated Press.

PPHS · 11 months ago

Did that letter go out through US mail? I hope it didn't go e-mail, because if a few people hit "reply all", it will overwhelm the system.

On the other hand, a 60,000 piece mailer would have to cost about 50 cents a piece. (M.O.O.)

Princess · 11 months ago

And the point of the letter? Yawn. Whatever, GRod. Doesn't the acting chief of staff have anything else to do?

Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan · 11 months ago

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

207 STATE HOUSE

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 62706





ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH

Governor





January 12, 2009



Dear State Employee:



I am writing to you today to express my sincere appreciation for your continued public
service to and for the people of Illinois.



As a State Employee too, I realize the hard work and dedication that each of you bring
into work every day. To that end, I wholeheartedly believe that the 60,000 plus state
employees do their best to provide the critical services that the 13 million people of
Illinois rely upon in their daily lives. Further, I know that you have always kept the state’s
business running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.



I ask that each of you continue to keep up this effort. The people of Illinois rely upon the
services that the State of Illinois provides and your continued excellence has ensured
that they have not experienced impediments to receiving these services.



Again, I thank you for the dedication to your jobs and providing for the needs of Illinois
citizens first and foremost.





Sincerely,



Clayton K. Harris III

Acting Chief of Staff

Secret Square · 11 months ago

The letter would have meant more had it been 1)signed by Gov. Pat Quinn and 2) included a promise to treat all employees fairly and follow all hiring rules from here on out.

KeepSmiling · 11 months ago

Sounds like a resignation letter, minus the resignation.

One of the 35 · 11 months ago

The letter will undoubtedly raise everyone's spirits and dramatically increase productivity. The events of the last 6 years will melt away in light of the persuasive and motivational influence of this letter.

How Ironic · 11 months ago

I'll buy everyone a drink if the Gov works in "Oh look....a kitty" during the swearing in.

wordslinger · 11 months ago

From the letter:

P.S. The governor would like me to pass along his thanks and this message; you might think you saw something, but you didn't see nothing. You might think you heard something, but you didn't hear nothing. You might think you know something, but you don't know nothing. Capeesh?

piper · 11 months ago

Doesn't the governor have a court date today??

Eubie · 11 months ago

Just more of the Governor now starting to do what he should have done from the very beginning. He started out totally alienating state employees and talking about them like they were all lazy cheats trying to game the system. Further, he repeatedly disrespected the seat of state government, Springfield. Now he's got religion? Please. Too late. Save it. Go away.

Cranky Old Man · 11 months ago

Has the video locked up on anyone else?

Tim · 11 months ago

"P.S. Please don't quit. Seriously, don't quit. Everything's fine."

How Ironic · 11 months ago

Yeah, I can't get the video either.

Cranky Old Man · 11 months ago

Never mind. CNN has it. http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?st...

dznuts · 11 months ago

At least he's not quoting Tennyson yet...

Say WHAT? · 11 months ago

Hutchinson is on the Committee of escort

Tim · 11 months ago

ILGA video works now, it was just on a static image until Rod entered.

Anonymous · 11 months ago

wgntv.com also has a live video feed

Levois · 11 months ago

I think he's beside himself right now.

Say WHAT? · 11 months ago

Wait, The House announced Pat Quinn in the chamber, now the Senate has acknowledged his presence also. Has he been cloned? I'm impressed.

KeepSmiling · 11 months ago

I love the way Blago twitched his head when he introduced "The Honorable" Lieu Gov Pat Quinn.

wordslinger · 11 months ago

Live on CLTV

Anonymous Conservative · 11 months ago

I noticed that too Say WHAT?. But they actually showed Quinn at the Senate, so somebody must have forgotten to pass along the message at the House that Quinn wasn't there.

Cranky Old Man · 11 months ago

The reverend forgot to mention the impeachment hearing. Go figure.

Rob_N · 11 months ago

Sec. White ... your mic is live.

wordslinger · 11 months ago

Tommy Hynes, Rock, Emil -- where's Pate?

Captain Flume · 11 months ago

The invocation asked that members act with "integrity." I wonder if the secretary of the senate is distributing the defintion of that word out to the members, you know, just as an FYI.

Tim · 11 months ago

Um, way to flub the National Anthem. I guess she was a bit nervous.

Captain Flume · 11 months ago

The last time I remember RB being in the sentate chambers was during a grilling he agreed to participate in during his first term, I think during his second year in office.

dznuts · 11 months ago

this could be his last visit to the chambers; he has already stated that he doesn't believe impeachment is the approrpiate forum (it's not a court of law) - so I doubt he'll show up for impeachment, unless subpoened by the Senate.

Cecil · 11 months ago

Clayton Harris was transferred to the Gov's Office from IDOT. You know, the IDOT that is being investigated for hiring fraud and contracts. His letter means nothing to most state employees. It was a waste of time reading it.

wordslinger · 11 months ago

Rich, I think the lady judge who swore them all in shook his hand.

Captain Flume · 11 months ago

The priest did shake his hand very briefly.

Secret Square · 11 months ago

Viverito got there late?

Former State Employee 2 · 11 months ago

Yes Governor and the whole world knows you.

Anonymoose · 11 months ago

i kinda spaced out (must have been sucked into a trance, watching Blago's hair) -- what happend with viverito? was he not present for the swearing-in the first go around? thx!

Blogger2 · 11 months ago

I hope we don't see Sen. Viverito in one of those horrible Flomax commercials.

p · 11 months ago

Priest shook his hand for sure.

Only one who didn't was the singer. But, then again, she got the words to the song wrong, too.

Captain Flume · 11 months ago

Maybe viverito was doing a Rod Blagojevich impersonation.

Segatari · 11 months ago

Total silence, if I was one of those reps I would had started booing him, loudly.

nockon wood · 11 months ago

Judge Theis shook G-Rod's hand. That's all I've seen tho.

Bill S. Preston, Esq. · 11 months ago

Standing o as Rep Black commends Jesse White for being a "Profile in Courage."

Rubbernecker · 11 months ago

I think its safe to assume that state employees haven't needed a letter or anything else to boost their morale since Dec. 9...

dznuts · 11 months ago

Wow -- Viverito just threw down!

dznuts · 11 months ago

What's the over/under on Forby speaking?

Rubbernecker · 11 months ago

Same as Gary Dahl

Captain Flume · 11 months ago

Now Rep. is tossing out the "i" word. Yikes! And then he nominates Tom Cross for speaker, one of the Govenor's recent political bedfellows. Very cool!

LN · 11 months ago

dznuts....haha!! He has been eerily silent through the whole G-Rod process...wonder why. *rolls eyes*

Rubbernecker · 11 months ago

When is Sweet Lou retiring?

observation · 11 months ago

One of 35 - You are too funny!

Rubbernecker · 11 months ago

AWK-ward...

Ron Burgundy · 11 months ago

Weird hearing that impeachment is mentioned as being the first order of business in a Cullerton nominating speech while Blago is in the room.

Blago Sphere · 11 months ago

Without knowing the principals; it would seem to strain credibility and sincerity if you have to make a nominating speech for someone you have known for decades by reading verbatim from a script.

Rubbernecker · 11 months ago

Great Odin's Raven that must have been a squirmy moment for anyone (but the Gov.)

dznuts · 11 months ago

I like Murphy's line of "a stubborn ethical cloud"

Rob_N · 11 months ago

Rep. Bellock compares Cross to Reagan... Can't he just rest in peace?

Rubbernecker · 11 months ago

Ethics and budget. Murphy just laid out the simple gameplan for the Repubs for the next two years.

dznuts · 11 months ago

John Jones -- this ought to be incredibly interesting given the alleged "(expletive)him!" comment

Vote Quimby! · 11 months ago

Rod just crumples it up and heaves it towards the Rule Committee...

Anonymous Coward · 11 months ago

As Steans spoke, Blagojevich flipped through the pages of a loose-leaf notebook with instructions. He put his hands together after Steans' speech, but did not clap along with everyone else. Instead, he briefly rubbed his hands together.

He Makes Ryan Look Like a Sain · 11 months ago

I kindof think the moral has gotten better since Fitzy pulled the trigger.

Vote Quimby! · 11 months ago

Cullerton votes for Radogno!

Vote Quimby! · 11 months ago

==loose-leaf notebook with instructions==

I think it is a connect-the-dots book....'ooh look, a kitty!'

Blago Sphere · 11 months ago

Does Jacobs have his Titanic picture in hand?

fedup dem · 11 months ago

Vote Quimby, all that means is that the two sides will rush through this vote with zero acrimony. Expect Radogno to cast her vote for Cullerton when the roll call gets to her name.

Inquisitor · 11 months ago

I may have missed it, but did the governor skip over recognizing the Auditor General in the Senate? I thought Holland always get's recognized in this matters, and he was sitting between two others who were on the "stand be applauded list." Hmmmm...is that a slight?

Secret Square · 11 months ago

And Radogno returns the favor... is this standard procedure (that the speaker/prez candidates don't vote for themselves) or not?

Juice · 11 months ago

Well, at least it's not another hugfest.

Louis G. Atsaves · 11 months ago

Nice gesture by the new leadership of the Illinois Senate. Cullerton voted for Radogno and Radogno voted for Cullerton.

Anonymous ZZZ · 11 months ago

Secret Square - I think that's how the House has done it in the past. Dont' know if they still do, though.

anon · 11 months ago

He acknowledged Holland.

Anonymoose · 11 months ago

secret square: yes, i believe this is tradition.

anyone hear what marty sandoval said? (i'm sure it was really insightful. ha)

Vote Quimby! · 11 months ago

uh oh, here comes the Tennyson!

Ron Burgundy · 11 months ago

Blago now begging for mercy.

Cranky Old Man · 11 months ago

"We"? "We"? HA!!!

Interested Observer · 11 months ago

and.....Elvis has left the Chamber

Captain Flume · 11 months ago

Now Speaker Madigan is addressing the "i" word and separation of powers.

Rob_N · 11 months ago

MJM discussing impeachment now

Hunterdon · 11 months ago

Yep - 1:16PM and Blago is scurrying out the back door

HunkerDown · 11 months ago

Secret Square: In my recollection this is always the case, however when Emil was first elected he voted for himself - Watson however still voted for Emil. That is the only time that I know this to NOT have happened.

Captain Flume · 11 months ago

The Speaker is talking about impeachment, winding up for the pitch of the next vote on the matter soon.

Rob_N · 11 months ago

MJM mentions significance of last Fri's impeachment vote...

authority given in Constitution to the lege re impeachment...

responsibility of House to understand proper role...

...asks that *all* members of the House become strong advocates of the role the House plays in Illinois govt

Rob_N · 11 months ago

Cross gets up to speak

Anonymous Coward · 11 months ago

Quoting Lincoln, he asked them to work on the state's problems "with malice toward none and charity for all."

Inquisitor · 11 months ago

Correction...I've been told Holland WAS introduced. My bad.

Rubbernecker · 11 months ago

Cullerton laying the groundwork for tax increase...

John · 11 months ago

"we ... must... pay... our... bills... on... time..."

With... what... money...?

Huckleberry · 11 months ago

Was Deb Mell in the Senate chambers? Was that after she was inaugerated in the House? If, so, boy she's quick. How will she vote on the impeachment of her bro-in-law? will she have to abstain, vote present?

Joe Kotlarz Fan Club · 11 months ago

the same Heather Steans that donated money to Blago's campaign and voted against recall? Um,ok.

Rob_N · 11 months ago

HR 4 and 5 are up in the House side....

nockon wood · 11 months ago

enough with the "repubs, stay in the minority" jokes. to paraphrase: "you can't outvote us [dems], and you're in no danger of outvoting us [dems] anytime soon"??? really, mr. president-of-the-whole-senate? nobody likes the air of inevitability or entitlement. ask hillary clinton about that.

Rob_N · 11 months ago

HR 4 reconstitutes the impeachment panel.

HR 5 impeaches Blago.

dznuts · 11 months ago

Think the Gov's private plane has already touched down back in Chicago? He could still get in a couple of 9-minute miles before sunset.

Rob_N · 11 months ago

Currie moves that HR 4 be adopted and it's passed.

Currie moves the HR 5, Articles of Impeachment, be adopted ... very nice introduction of her motion ... impeachment serious matter because it overturns a free, fair and open election, the cornerstone of our democracy ...

Juice · 11 months ago

YES! Nice touch Senate.

Anon · 11 months ago

I'm slightly offended that this woman is singing Its Been a Long Time Comin'. She is no Al Green.

Rob_N · 11 months ago

Rep Durkin, ranking member, gets up to speak in favor of HR 5. Quotes impeachment clause from Illinois Constitution.

Secret Square · 11 months ago

She's no Sam Cooke either... but the sentiment is kind of fitting, no?

Pot calling kettle · 11 months ago

Will there be a singer at the House Ceremony? I have some ideas on what should be sung...

Reality Check · 11 months ago

There's a song no white person can/should attempt to sing.

Blago Sphere · 11 months ago

Has anyone stepped forward yet to place Rod Blagojevich's name in nomination as Illinois' Poet Laureate of the 96th General Assembly?

Pot calling kettle · 11 months ago

I the House Committee really wanted to hear from the gov, they should have gone to his house or campaign office. I mean really, the arrogance of these people!

Rob_N · 11 months ago

Rep Durkin explains how impeachment panel went above and beyond Const.-requirements by allowing the Governor and his attys every opportunity to counter the House panel's work and call on witnesses, etc.

Roll call being called Clerk of the House

Rob_N · 11 months ago

If Rep. Mell voted aye I couldn't hear it...

Juice · 11 months ago

Couldn't hear, how did Mell vote?

Pot calling kettle · 11 months ago

How did Mell vote? I couldn't hear.

Anon · 11 months ago

I am in complete agreement with Reality Check. It is a beautiful song rooted deeply in the civil rights movement. I disagree with the selection of the song, and the woman who was selected to sing it, with all due respect to the senate president.

VanillaMan · 11 months ago

*****Global Exclusive******
VanillaMan Interviews The Devil After Blagojevich Swearing In Ceremony

VM - Thanks for coming today. I know you have a busy schedule right now...
Devil - Ah, it's nothing. The Middle East is practically on auto-pilot now-a-days. I wouldn't have missed seeing my boy's big day in Springfield for a million lost souls!

VM - What are your thoughts watching Rod Blagojevich swear in the Illinois Senate this afternoon?
Devil - Well, first of all, I have to say that I'm awfully proud of what he's accomplished for Illinois since 2003. I didn't have a lot of hope for him back then. A lot of my kids, I call them that, have burned out already. Spitzer, Rowland, Edwards, McGreevey, a lot of my boys hit hard and burn out fast. While not as good as Cheney, I have to say Blagojevich has done a great job destroying Illinois.

VM - Did you say Cheney?
Devil - Oh c'mon! Like you didn't know? He hasn't had a human heart in his chest since 1999, who do you think keeps him alive? This is going to be a big month for me. Dick and Rod will be coming home!

VM - When you say "coming home", does that mean they're, you know, uh...
Devil - Dying? Dead? Stone-cold, hit the floor, sayonara-bye-bye dead? No! It just is a term I use when the terms of a contract have been met and met successfully.

VM - What did Rod Blagojevich do to make you the most proud?
Devil - When he went right ahead and started selling Obama's senate seat, even though I warned him Patrick Fitzgerald had bugged him with a wire and video. That is when I knew I had a real winner doing my work on Earth. A lot of guys panic and bail on me when the law first contacts them. But Rod ignored Tony's conviction and Kelly's arrest, and shook down that children's hospital! My heart just about burst with pride when he did that!

VM - Can you tell us if you have any other "boys" or "girls" contracted here in Illinois?
Devil - Several. But you ought to know that most of them have moved recently to Washington. I left Blagojevich here to finish up his contract, but I have several others that I have moved up to the Federal level.

VM - Anyone we know?
Devil - Now VanillaMan! That is for me to know, and for you to find out!

It isn't like I work entirely in secret. How many clues to Rod Blagojevich's dark side have I allowed Illinoians to see? You people re-nominated and re-elected him! I'm like the Chinese toy manufacturer slathering kid's toys with lead paint, sure - but you people in Illinois are the dummies who are still playing with these toys after you've been warned.

VM - Thanks for stopping by, sir.
Devil - One more thing I'd like to say, just to let you know I am really The Devil, as you call me...I caused the Constitutional Convention to fail on the ballot last November!

VM - Lord help us all!
Devil - See ya sucker!

Juice · 11 months ago

Must have been no.

Rob_N · 11 months ago

117-1 ... I couldn't hear who the No was

Pot calling kettle · 11 months ago

Mell should have passed...

Bill · 11 months ago

Good for Deb. She did the right thing. I would have voted no too. I just don't like the lynch mob mentality (with apologies to Bobby Rush).

Rob_N · 11 months ago

Bendediction now. Amen.

Thanks to UIS for the live feed!

Bill S. Preston, Esq. · 11 months ago

I have to say I'm a little proud of Deb. Think it was a stupid vote, but at least she stood up for what she thought was right. Didn't succumb to peer pressure...

Pot calling kettle · 11 months ago

Deb Mell has a pretty clear conflict of interest, it would have been most appropriate for her to abstain.

Rob_N · 11 months ago

...or just vote Yes...

How Ironic · 11 months ago

If Deb didn't feel conflicted, there would be no reason to abstain. I've never figured out the rabid "Blood is thicker than water" mentality. Just because the Gov is family doesn't excuse a person for inaction when action is called for.

Even the Unabombers brother turned him in.

Anonymous Coward · 11 months ago

Cullerton speech transcript:

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/fi...

wordslinger · 11 months ago

-- Roll call. Rep Mell voted No. 117-1 for impeachment.--

That's not so bad. Most of my in-laws would give me life in front of a firing squad if they had a vote.

Missy · 11 months ago

#- nockon wood - 1:37 pm:

enough with the “repubs, stay in the minority” jokes. to paraphrase: “you can’t outvote us [dems], and you’re in no danger of outvoting us [dems] anytime soon”??? really, mr. president-of-the-whole-senate? nobody likes the air of inevitability or entitlement. ask hillary clinton about that.

Re. Cullerton's statements... Is it just me or was that rather tacky? I mean really.

Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan · 11 months ago

I'm sure Deb Mell will get a very nice Christmas present this year!! LOL

hopeful in IL · 11 months ago

on the Rep. Mell vote "no" to impeach.
can we say, "Mell-ba Toast" ?

BandCamp · 11 months ago

"sort out the truth"???

Either RRB is truely out of whack, or he is gonna throw A LOT of people under the bus...A LOT.

Those wire taps are what doomed him. Otherwise I could see him getting out of this.

Bebe · 11 months ago

It certainly is true that Heather Steans is smart, articulate, well-educated (Princeton grad and Harvard's Kennedy School grad),and a nice person, but a large family fortune does help embolden one's spirits. She doesn't have to worry as much about fundraising, and her family connections also help forge political connections that most freshmen state senators don't have.

Pot calling kettle · 11 months ago

Sort out the truth? I don't think it means what Rod thinks it does! When they sort out the truth, he's toast.

Cassandra · 11 months ago

Even though layoffs continue apace in most of the US economic world, I guess I can see why state employees can't be cut according to Cullerton. I wish I could believe that the Dems' motives are pure in this area, but I suspect they mostly want to protect Democratic patronage...if you are a Dem or related to or did a favor for a Dem, well, you've got a job for life.

And does state employment for life mean we have to keep people who rarely come tdo work and don't perform when they do. We do now. Does most of the workforce have to get automatic raises unrelated to performance.

More importantly, could the management folks who are dozing away at $90,000 plus a year be put into jobs where they actually do something. If they are making that much money, they must have some skills. Could we see some considation of offices (hellooo....DHS and DCFS.....)and reduction of multi-layered bureacracies in each one, especially in denser areas like Chicago. Just asking. Shouldn't people be able to apply for their food stamp online, for example, intead of maintaining
armies of bureaucrats to take applications in person. Ditto Medicaid and many other social cash benefits. Even Social Security Admin has seen the light and is taking online applications.

There are all kinds of possibilities but somehow Cullerton doesn't stike me as a change agent. He stikes me as an agent for maintaing Dem perks, albeit perhaps less audaciously than our Blago.

wizard · 11 months ago

Cassandra-where have you been for the last six years? Blago has consolidated and cut agencies until there is barely enough staff to perform the duties (at least in my agenncy). As far as raises, my supervisor has received ONE in the last six years. I vote right of Attila the Hun but you are unbelievable.

anon · 11 months ago

==Either RRB is truely out of whack, or he is gonna throw A LOT of people under the bus…A LOT.==

I'm going to go with "(c)", all of the above.

Anonymous · 11 months ago

Cassandra for Governor. she knows everything about every state agency and how to solve all the problems. she would have things straightened in a matter of weeks. it is amazing how one person can know so much in depth info about so many different agencies.

Levois · 11 months ago

I think I'm missing something! I think I should go to my own PC and start watching these proceedings!

Reality Check · 11 months ago

Each Cassandra comment is the same as the last. For all we know she may have died years ago and left the auto-Cassandra turned on.

Maybe that loon from Taxpayers United isn't Rod's only friend left in Illinois after all.

Princess · 11 months ago

Geez, Cassandra, if Mr. Harris had not just sent us lowly state employees a 'pep' letter of good tidings, I'd feel totally unloved today. Of all the things going on today, leave it to you to get your anti state employee comment in.

montrose · 11 months ago

"Senate Committee on Assignment of Bills" per ILGA.ogv Senate Committee list. Any thoughts as to why it is not called rules?

Say WHAT? · 11 months ago

=And does state employment for life mean we have to keep people who rarely come tdo work and don’t perform when they do.=

Cassandra, are you off of your nut? You wouldn't last one day in my shoes - not one.

AutoCassandra · 11 months ago

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ -

Lavish Pension, No good, lazy, Do-nothing mid-level political hack Manager

-ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Really?! · 11 months ago

Mell's no vote.. my thought is there indeed may be a conflict of interest, but that didn't put in the GA.. the voters did, right?!? If her constituents wanted her to vote No, that's one thing. Otherwise separate family from your job, sista, or start looking for another job. Public service is about the public/voters. I know, I know a shocking concept that is so foreign to many in IL politics.
And Cassandra can we put you in an auditorium w/ state employees so you can spit on them in person? I'd like to see how that works for you.

Ron Burgundy · 11 months ago

Now he's ducking service of the impeachment? The sergeant-at-arms better get some good jogging gear if they want to catch him.

Boone Logan Square · 11 months ago

Think Deb Mell's vote will be used against her in future campaigns?

Levois · 11 months ago

He refused service? So he's in denial?

Ron Burgundy · 11 months ago

Nevermind. Refusing service would have been another cheap stunt to add to the litany of cheap stunts already associated with this fiasco.

Agree with Bebe · 11 months ago

I agree with Bebe on Steans. The almost 200k she donated to Blago could be seen now as the biggest waste of money. How can she possibly advocate caps on contributions with a straight face and a sincere heart? There's a disconnect there, but I'm not surprised as she is a protege of Pension Scammer Ronen.

Arthur Andersen · 11 months ago

AA thought Sen. Steans made a very sincere and credible address this afternoon. She is certainly not the first person of means to serve in the General Assembly, so let's not bring the family wealth up every time she is critiqued, k?

OTOH, on the video feed, Sen. Martinez seated behind Sen. Steans looked about as happy as the dude whose "crash the plane, run away on the bike" scheme is right now.

It's as if she lost her best frie-oh, never mind.

Rob_N · 11 months ago

Dan S,

Deb Mell's Christmas gift will be a sparkling new license plate.

It'll have a low number on it if Geo. Ryan helps Rod make it.

Six Degrees of Separation · 11 months ago

Is Deb Mell still one of the 193 candidates for the 5th CD seat?

Steve · 11 months ago

"Okay, Deb. Thanks for voting no. You're still welcome at dinner on Thanksgiving. By the way, when you come for dinner, could you bring a file that works on iron bars? And that cranberry salad you make, too. Really good stuff."

Amy · 11 months ago

who's out in leadership for the Dems? who's in on the Republican side?

Blago Sphere · 11 months ago

Will the Governor file his response to the Summons before; or after he files his 2008 2nd half D-2

Phineas J. Whoopee · 11 months ago

I must say Deb Mell has guts. She delivered toilet paper to the house the day the crap hit the fan and now this. Good for her.

Blago Sphere · 11 months ago

Right now there's a Rosemary Woods sized gap in the finance records from November 25th to December 9th, and we know that there were at least two fundraisers during this period; both of which may be of significant; as well as others which may be unknown at this time.

Collar Observer · 11 months ago

Mell's no vote should come say, "No Public Servant here." A leader would have at least abstained. To me, a No vote says she puts family before service to those she was elected by. Could of accepted abstaining - but not a No.

Vote Quimby! · 11 months ago

Does this mean Clayborne is out of any SDem leadership position? I thought he was promised one during the caucus election...

Zora · 11 months ago

I agree with Bebe, but the problem with being Ivy League-smart is that you don't always know when you are on a new learning curve. It will be interesting to see how long Sen. Steans will hang around in a position that requires, at best, consensus building and, at worst, top-down going along. Not the same as running a foundation, where you're surrounded by supplicants and sycophants.

Mark Twain · 11 months ago

Wasn't Sullivan in a leadership position as well? Deputy Whip?

zatoichi · 11 months ago

Cassandra, I have to bite. Specifically, who in your opinion does a good job? The hard working people in the financial world who just cost many, many people their retirement and investments? The firms who have laid off thousands? If an company has raised prices does that mean they are not efficient? Who is the ideal model to compare to? Maybe you should run for state office and be the change agent you feel is needed.

Lefty · 11 months ago

The "flub" in the National Anthem was very minor. The lady singing did a sensational rendition of the anthem.

Loop Lady · 11 months ago

Cassandra: I am a state employee doing the work of at least three people in an agency that has been cut to the bone...you have a lot of nerve...back off!

Hanging Out · 11 months ago

Quiby: Clayborne is Senate Majority Leader, the Number Two Guy in the Senate which is a leadership position.

John Sullivan, from Rushville was in leadership under Jones.

BoB · 11 months ago

Link was bumped as well

Mark Twain · 11 months ago

So why did Sullivan get bumped?

Macbeth · 11 months ago

Cassandra -- cut it out. You know absolutely nothing -- *NOTHING* -- about life in a state agency. You've had it in for state workers for years now, and it's tiresome.

You're a broken record -- and you're simply wrong. Move on.

Ms Port Belly Mushroom · 11 months ago

Normally I would agree with all of you who are chastising Cassie, but not when it comes to the patronage people hired by this administration.

Agreed, every administration had its no-show employees who were paid more than they were probably worth, but these guys raised it to new heights.

Downstate at least, most of the patronage people didn't even come from typical Dem routes. Most were drinking buddies or sports enthusiasts who happened to get close to the Governor's legislative guy.

They brought them in, started them at $30 or $40K and now have them embedded in "chief" jobs where they are making twice that and hardly ever show up (they somehow came up with a lot of comp time, I guess).

They are no reflection on the hardworking employees (patronage or not) who have to pick up the slack when these folks don't perform.

No one should take her comments personally unless you feel like you're one of the one's she's talking about.

However, I do disagree with her in one respect. This is not Cullerton's problem. This is Pat Quinn's problem. Hopefully he tracks down the folks who were golfing, bar hopping and playing summer league softball before they drank beer with the right guy and lets them return to their unpaid life of leisure.

Southern Illinois Voter · 11 months ago

I am a retired State employee. Cassandra has always had a bur under her saddle about State employees. My former supervisor had not had a raise in at least 4 yrs. when I retired, & he was one of the hardest working guys I've ever known. There are some offices in one of the correctional centers that just have a couple of people in them when they are supposed to have many more. You can't believe how bare bones some of these places operate. Cassandra, I've been there, done that - if you haven't - well, you know.

Hanging Out · 11 months ago

Ms Port Belly Mushroom: Some of what you say might be true but I know for a fact that a few of the legislative people were brought in for a specefic area of expertise. The guy at DHS was a lobbyist for Human Service issues for years before he was asked to head the legislative unit at DHS and he is well respected on both sides of the aisle. Someone should ask the members of the General Assembly and their staffs about who are the good legislative people before they start launching folks.

DuPage Danny K · 11 months ago

Does anyone have the Dem and Repub Leadership teams? I can not find them on the internet ...

Cornerfield · 11 months ago

Cassandra,
One of the few things I look forward to is to come home after work and catch up on the CapFax blogs. Most of the time your raving public-servant-bashing comments only elicit a shake of my head. Not tonight. As a state employee, all I can say is: Bite Me.

steve schnorf · 11 months ago

What's the gripe on here with Rep Mell? For crying out loud, it's her sister's husband. It's not like she was the deciding vote or something. Cut her some slack. I'll evaluate her a year or two from now, not on this issue alone.

colt 45 · 11 months ago

mell made a mistake. she should have voted present if she felt that strongly about it.

Watcher · 11 months ago

I watched the senate today... Am I the only one that saw those guys walking along the center aisle of the Senate with that huge cart of banker boxes from the House and thought: "That looks like pallbearers bringing in a coffin"?

It IS a coffin: Blago's political career lies inside.

Merit Comp Slave · 11 months ago

There is no excuse for Mell's vote - I don't care if she's related to the Pope. If she's that clueless she should jump on the family impeachment band wagon. I've worked for the state for more than 2 decades-this is the most disastrous administration I've ever seen and it needs to be gutted, stripped and rebuilt from the ground up. I volunteer, for my $45,000 per year, to go through all the employement files for each new hire in the last 6 years and validate their qualifications according to their position description. By eliminating those who aren't qualified or don't show up, I think I could come up with enough money in one year to balance the budget - oh and I'm just talking about my agency. Oh and BTW Cassandra, please accept my invitation to stick it where the sun don't shine. Have a nice night.

Cynic · 11 months ago

Question about Deb Mell's vote --- does a legislator have a duty to recuse his or herself if there's a conflict of interest? I'd think that they would, but I don't know for sure.

Incidentally, I understand her vote though I *think* recusal would have been the appropriate way to go.

Pot calling kettle · 11 months ago

When there is a clear conflict of interest (as in Deb Mell's case) it is most appropriate to abstain (vote present). And this situation shows exactly why that option exists.

Bookworm · 11 months ago

In most other elected bodies like city councils, county boards, etc., in my experience, if a vote comes up that directly affects a relative or friend the member usually abstains from voting. It would seem to me that the same principle would apply to the General Assembly, in which case, Deb Mell should have voted present. Although if I were in her shoes and one of MY brothers-in-law were being impeached, I'd probably vote yes :)

Cranky Old Man · 11 months ago

Cynic, I worked for the house back in the early 80s and can only say that I witnessed Bernie Epton state before numerous votes, "I have a conflict of interest, but will vote my conscience." He always seemed like a good man to me, but I was young. I'm thinking that she should have gone that way if she really wanted to have an opinion, but "present" would have been best.

Arthur Andersen · 11 months ago

MC Slave, I hope you are not in the budget shop at your agency. The last time I checked, the State could lay off 100% of its GRF funded employees and still be short of the $4 billion needed to balance the budget.

Steve, am I still in the ballpark?

I don't disagree that this "administration" has pushed patronage, in both the political party form and the "somebody's guy" form, far beyond the boundaries of reasonable. However, the Repub administrations, by virtue of their extended tenure, had the advantages of being able to 1) get rid of knuckleheads that weren't cutting it because the Executive Office had more power over the fiefdoms and 2) the "junior g-men" that came in at the bottom from whatever political source had to prove themselves because there were plenty of other people around to fill the jobs up the ladder and if they weren't cutting it, they hit the bricks, got sent to limboland, or saw the light and cleaned up their act. I'm sure we old-timers can think of exceptions to all of these, but not to the extent of the (Decatur?) "posse" Ms. PB Mushroom describes.

Steve, I agree with you re: Rep. Mell. Cut her some slack. What would all of you blue noses done in the same situation with the same pressures? Yeah, probably the same thing she did.

And Cassie, your snarky pathetic insults have worn me out. One week at my desk would send you running off in tears, especially armed with the knowledge that AA works for about 33 cents on the buck of the going rate for his particular vocation. We're never going to learn from you, so how about leaving quietly, but first-BITE ME!!

Toast Man · 11 months ago

HR 6 - "Bite me" bill passes unanimously.

Anonymous · 11 months ago

AA, you go, Boy! Great example of one of the few scenarios where tenure actually works out for the better.

And Mell does deserve some slack.

So do our State workers, Cassandra. I can't imagine their jobs being very easy especially right now with everything that's going on with the Economy and just within the State overall. Getting your day to day job done must be hard enough with all the additional chaos and most have to deal with the public non-stop. And I'm sure the latter are generally quite snippy right
now because of the problems they're facing, too.

the Patriot · 11 months ago

I wonder how Mr. Madigan will feel about the sanctity of the separation of powers if his daughter is governor?

Beowulf · 11 months ago

The real irony here is that although Dick Mell voted "NO" against the impeachment of his son-in-law Blagojevich, it was actually Dick Mell who initially started the snowball rolling down the hill when he accused his son-in-law of engaging in "Pay-To-Play" politics with his campaign contributors. "Who let the dogs out?" It was Patrick Fitzgerald who heard Dick Mell and immediately turned loose the dogs.

Wouldn't you love to know exactly what Dick Mell is thinking about now? It is like the joke about the guy who had mixed-emotions when he saw his mother-in-law driving his brand new sports car over the cliff. I'll bet a "Dollar to a Donut" that Dick Mell is having to take sleeping pills to get to sleep at night. I feel sorry for Dick Mell for what he is going through. I don't feel sorry for Peppermint Patti because she knew what was going on and chose to be part of it all. Greed is a powerful motivator.

Merit Comp Slave · 11 months ago

AA - pay attention, this surely isn't the first bit of tongue in cheek type comments you've seen on this blog. I was using sarcasm to make a point. See Committee Exhibit #43. Pours salt in my wound since I'm doing the work of 4 people, have had only 2 raises in six years while "interns" are hired at double my salary. Just using this forum to vent a bit.

steve schnorf · 11 months ago

MCS, I didn't recognize it as sarcasm either. I thought it was just another silly comment from someone who was clueless. You may need to let the sarcasm show thru a little more.