CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in This just in… Lane Evans to retire

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

puzzler — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 09:15:39 -0000

In regard to Lane Evan's pension and pay raises. According to an article in the Rock Island Argus last week, Congressman Evans chose not to enroll in the Congressional pension plan until a few years ago and will not be vested in the plan until 2009, so he will not be eligible for a pension. When elected, he vowed not to take pay raises until his subsequent terms actually began. According to the article, he quietly abandoned that practice during his tenure took pay raises as they became effective.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

ZNorm — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 09:09:16 -0000

Won't Rahm Emmanuel have a big say in this? Maybe he'll find a Tammy Duckworth clone.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

TuneTownTassy — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 08:30:32 -0000

Must say that how much Lane will be missed . Much appreciation to his many years of service. I am curious to see who will fill his shoes as well. Money for election is a key factor and if I had to pick a candidate with money Jacobs would be the pick. Charisma, charm, experience, and money in the bank, sounds like the man. It will be interesting to see how this all unfolds. I must wonder will Obama have a hand in this decision as well?

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

47th Ward — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 01:51:54 -0000

Steve Schnorf and Baby Ego:

Good points, but please don't forget Mr. Shimkus and others in Newt's class who promised self-imposed term limits.

Nice to see you again Tessa. Ditto on Lane.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

Sage Observer — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 00:29:01 -0000

I prefer numbers, not rumors. Here are the weighted primary votes in CD17 from 2004, don't have the 2006 numbers but the horse-trading will follow the same lines. The magic number is 23,165, or John Gianulis, Mike Smith, Mike Mathis and change.

COUNTY EVANS
ADAMS 4039
CALHOUN 336
CHRISTIAN 352
FAYETTE 131
FULTON 6025
GREENE 346
HANCOCK 656
HENDERSON 388
HENRY 1106
JERSEY 159
KNOX 2773
MACON 5119
MACOUPIN 5742
MADISON 322
McDONOUGH 1603
MERCER 1279
MONTGOMERY 1244
PIKE 248
ROCK ISLAND 11356
SANGAMON 1262
SHELBY 189
WARREN 651
WHITESIDE 1002
Totals 46328

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

Brad Tusk's Ego — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 22:54:12 -0000

Get off the Sullivan kick folks...he is well into LaHood's district (Rushville). The Dems don't need yet another carpetbagger candidate (Duckworth, Bean) in IL. And do you actually think the Quads Kingmakers will go for someone outside the district?

And you can forget the idea of Zinga stepping aside and Tenhouse running. First off, won't happen; second, Tenhouse also lives in LaHood's district (Liberty--if those of you up north can find it).

As for Lane's pension/pay, check out Ed Felker's recent stories on this issue in the Dispatch. He fell off the "no pay raise" wagon many years ago. If he never took a pay raise from when he first was elected in 82, he would probably be making like $50k right now. Felker points out Lane does have some healthy investments.

And he only recently started participating in the retirement plan. Hate to say this, but the retirement is one of the great perks of office. Kind of a dumb move by Lane. You might has well take it because you'll get crap about it anyway.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

cornfeddem — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 22:48:55 -0000

I keep hearing rumors of the southern chairmen putting together a coalition. Who will be thier guy? Maybe Carper, Scholz sounds strong and electable, he also would have the most money. Sullivan would be great if he were in district. Do not count out the rest of the district Rock Island.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

Hare who? — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 22:42:32 -0000

Phil who? Does he still work for Lane? That is quite possibly the laziest man in the entire 17th CD. Not to mention, I think more Dems in R.I. County would vote against him rather than for him. Phil Hare would actually have to work for a living if he ran and I donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t think he knows what it means to work. If he hasnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t stabbed you in the back yet, he will.

I am with Mike.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

Ebony Warrior — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 22:40:56 -0000

Hey guys, I heard Alderman Frank McNeil may give this a shot. He is in his last term as Alderman and has great name recognition in Springfield and Decatur, the population centers. Aside from that no African American Congressman from downstate and he has ties to all the Black Caucus members as well as Senator Jones and U.S. Senators Durbin and Obama. Would this energize voters in Springfield? I think McNeil has crossover appeal and can carry his own in a debate.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

Observer — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 22:14:48 -0000

Zinga is probably the best known person in the 17th District except for Evans.
Her Democratic opponent better not get his hopes up.
Zinga is also a national personality. The day she is elected, she will weild more influence than Evans ever did. If the Republicans control the House, as expected, she will be on some major committes. (The Veteran's Committee is just a back water. Look at who's on it. None of the major players).
Zinga will put the Illinois Quad Cities on the map and bring home the bacon like it was never done.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

Moneyman — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 21:55:59 -0000

Terronez hasn't done one thing since taking office at the SAO. States Attorneys office is exactly the same as the day Douglas retired. How about a woman candidate? Who are you looking at if that might be the case?

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

Amy — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 21:43:22 -0000

Maybe the party can convince Zinga to step aside and replace her with someone. I'm not sure who that would be, though. Maybe Art Tenhouse, since he probably won't make it to leadership in the IL House.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

just me — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 21:31:29 -0000

Terronez is bright, young, enthusiastic, not corrupt, a veteran himself, and a great guy. He can keep Jerry Lack and Phil on staff for a smooth transition. Taxpayers would miss Terronez as States Attorney--he does a great job.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

Team Sleep — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 20:40:49 -0000

The fact that GOP voters did not have enough insight to select Jim Mowen is a shame. Now the 17th District GOP has to get ALZ elected against a candidate who she cannot attack on health issues and who will actively campaign against her. However, I can see the RNC getting involved as this is now an open seat. Sometimes money trumps all, and this could be one of the times. Rahm Emanuel must ask himself if he and the House Dems are willing to spend a fortune defening Lane Evans' seat.

Paul Mangieri makes the most sense at this point. He has a lot of name ID and isn't perceive as negatively as Mike Jacobs. IMHO, the Dems have to find someone with extensive government experience to take on ALZ. A popular Congressman retiring is enough to get the GOP active and motivated.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

Pawl_Pry — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 20:37:54 -0000

Sullivan a) isn't ready and b) is in LaHood's district. Carper is an interesting choice but may not be ready to go back on the campaign trail. He also isn't that well known (yet) outside the Macomb area. His high profile job is changing that in the region but not yet. Scholz has been with the IML, plugged away in the Amtrak vineyards and has a good solid Rolodex in Springpatch.

Either way, the best bet is to wait until just the last minute so Zinga has to keep guessing.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

The Underground — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 20:05:54 -0000

I couldn't think of two more appropriate choices than Chuck Scholz or John Sullivan. I agree with an earlier post that Emil Jones will not let go of Sullivan. Chuck Scholz on the other hand is a very formidable candidate for this job. He is a moderate Democrat from the middle of the district. Some people just have a natural ability and god given talent for these types of positions. Chuck Scholz is one of those people!

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

anon — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 20:00:07 -0000

Having been affiliated with a political campaign in Lane's district this past primary season, I have personal experience with the manner in which Phil Hare managed the Quad City office, which is to say not at all. I have never seen a more non-responsive political assistant. Phone call after phone call went unanswered. In Phil's world, you don't exist unless you can do something good for Phil. What a complete and utter disaster a Phil Hare candidacy would be.
On the other hand, John Sullivan would be very, very hard to beat by any GOP candidate. Admittedly more middle of the road than Lane, he would attract significant crossover vote.
By the way, no one's mentioned Jeff Terronez. Jeff was the featured speaker at Lane's Unity Dinner in Springfield last August and was prominently featured again at the Labor Day picnic in Rock Island County. Both times, he opined about many federal issues, which was quite unusual considering he is the Rock Island County State's Attorney.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

ANON — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 19:50:15 -0000

A lot of names are being thrown around here, but in the end I don't think we will have anything to say about who is chosen--the county chairmen will make that decision for us hopefully after consulting Lane Evans. It would also behoove them to consult with Obama. If he blesses the nomination, all is right with the world.

In the recent primary Mike Jacobs barely defeated an unknown with no money and no staff for a seat Jacobs inherited from his father. He isn't qualified, he isn't qualified, he isn't qualified!!!

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

Tessa — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 19:21:39 -0000

Wow. This brought me out of hiding. What a bummer. I campaigned so many tiems for Lane. I like him so much. I can't think of anyone right now to step into his shoes. Most certainly not Zinga.

I wish Lane the best of luck for his future and with his health. He'll be missed by many.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

Bomber91 — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 19:11:10 -0000

With Lane's retirement this year and Speaker Hastert's in 2008, Illinois is losing a lot of Congressional seniority. That isn't going to bode well for the future. I never voted for Lane, but respected all of his hard work and dedication on our behalf. I wish him the best and a relaxing retirement.

Having lived in Macomb for a number of years, I would agree that former Mayor Carper would be a strong choice. Not sure how well he plays in the QC. John Sullivan is a jackass who is in the State Senate because he was very effective at lying and slinging mud in 2002 and ran against a very weak opponent in 2004.

In the end, this boils down to what the mighty Jacobs empire decides. If Denny wants the spot, he'll get it. If he wants Mike to go to Congress, Mike will get the nod. I don't buy for a second there would be a Danny Lipinski style carpetbagger moving in. Someone needs to ask Denny want he's thinking. I'm sure Lane already has.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

brenda — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 19:08:42 -0000

Is Andrea Zinga union friendly? NO. Scholz is extrmely electable and is supportive of union views. Scholz also will be able raise plenty of cash.I have had my differences with him but he is the most electable and thus will get my support.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

Anon,17th Dist. — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 18:56:33 -0000

The county chairman in Lane's Dist have the vote.
It is a weighed vote by how many votes were cast in the primary. Some counties have only one precinct.
Scholz isn't union friendly and has lost respect from people that have supported him in the past.
I would love to see Porter get the appointment.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

steve schnorf — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 18:30:15 -0000

Can anyone confirm the earlier post that Evans didn't take raises or join the pension system? Will he get no pension at all for his long service in Congress?

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

Sammy Esposito — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 18:00:16 -0000

Who controls the weighted vote in the slating process?

Porter McNeil would be a very solid candidate. He's articulate, popular with pols from throughout the district, and obviously knows how to work the press. And best of all, he's a blank slate with no legislative paper trail. That will be important if the GOP decides the district is in play. They'd love to spend a bunch of money portraying whomever the Dem candidate is as a big taxer and a stooge of the "Chicago controlled" party leadership. They won't be able to do that to Porter.

Re: This just in… Lane Evans to retire

O6 — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 17:42:40 -0000

While Lane deserves a comfortable retirement, he's not going to get one. When he first ran for election he vowed not to get rich from the system. He took NO congrssional pay raises during his entire tenure AND refused to enroll in the Congressional Retirement System! He has relatively few personal finances. Sad, but true. Chuck Scholz all the way.