Gov Pat Quinn's solution to $11.6B deficit

March 18, 2009

Current deficit: $11.6B

Gov Pat Quinn's proposal:

No tax change families of 4 making < $57K.

Lower income families: personal exemption icreased from $2K - 6K

Individual income tax: 3 - 4.5%
Corporate Income tax: 4.8 - 7.2%

Expected to generate $3.1B

Money would be kept by the state

4-yr driver's license: $10 - $20
Basic license plate: $70 - $99
Land of barry temporary license plates $60

Increase vehicle title fee for infrastructure and job development:

"Illinois Jobs Now!" $26 billion public works program that he said would create 340,000 jobs over several years.

$18.6 billion in transportation projects, including road repair and mass transit, and 10 percent of the new income-tax revenue would pay for school construction and unspecified "economic development" projects.

To help pay for indigent medical care:

Cigarette tax $0.98 - $1.38
$1.38 - $1.98 following year

Liquor? Firearms and ammunition?

Increase funding by $174 to schools

Refinancing state debt -> save as much as $500M during fiscal year ending June 30, 2010.

Source: Chicago Tribune's RAY LONG & RICK PEARSON

Gov Quinn: “I think we have to move on”

March 2, 2009

Gov Pat Quinn met with Rep Danny Davis, State Sen Ricky Hendon, Ald Ed Smith, Ald Walter Burnett and other black leaders to discuss Senator Roland Burris in an attempt to “unify” the democratic party. Quinn came out with his mind changed - there will be no push for a special election.

GOV QUINN: [Burris] is not going to to step aside. That’s his decision. I think we need to move on from that. I don’t think there’s anything that anyone can do if he refuses to resign. Now that’s his choice.

He had to move on or he will never get elected. He needed a reality check that his appointment came with an expiration date.

Roland Burris finds support at New Covenant Baptist Church

March 1, 2009

Roland Burris spoke at his church, New Covenant Baptist Church. Not sure how much of it was political as far as no politics from the pulpit.

BURRIS: It is a duty of any democracy to have citizen represented fairly and equally.

I will serve you in honesty and integrity. That's all I know.

I will never ever let you down.

Right there in Washington over 600K Americans, the majority of them Africa Americans, living without a full voice in their government.

U.S. Sen. Roland Burris (center) is surrounded by clergy members during a prayer service today to support him at the New Covenant Baptist Church on the South Side. (Tribune / Nuccio DiNuzzo)

Rep BOBBY RUSH: There's no rhyme or reason he should entertain the thought to resign.

Our people will not forget. Our people will not be blinded.

We know injustice when we see it. We can smell it a mile away.

Injustice won't ever be forgotten by us.

WGN News Video

GOV PAT QUINN: 37 years - he will always be my friend. But I feel at this time he should look for a another way to serve the people of Illinois than being US Senator.

If Roland Burris wants to run for a special election that would be a way for the people to resolve it.

Informal online Tribune poll 6700 votes 94% think Burris should resign.

blago impeachment announcement (video)

January 29, 2009

Video of the pre-ordained, pre-negotiated vote. 59-0 to impeach. Commentary in a different post. They went one further and made sure (59-0) that he can never hold office in Illinois - and by stipulation by The Constitution - no other state. Though as the President of the Senate and blago's nemesis, John Cullerton pointed out, Blago "can still run for president [and VP] of the United States as he speculated." Well, barry got their tainted by the same man who has tainted blago - Tony Rezko - and without the executive experience blago already has.

Now having been "convicted" of impeachment, I move to prevent Rod R Blagojevich (he has no legal middle name - legally he's Milorad Blagojevich) be disqualified from holding any future public office of this state.

AP

While you watch ex Lt Gov Pat Quinn get sworn in, recall his many vehement assurances that Gov Blagojevich will be impeached, and then ask yourselves whether he should have recognized a conflict of interest in that blago's impeachment would lead to his personal gain and political gain: a pay raise, a security detail, a governor's mansion and notoriety of having succeeded the first governor ever impeached in the State of Illinois.

And while you're at it, recall that Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan, whose father, House Majority Leader Micheal Madigan, made possible her election, absolutely hates blago. Recall also that she made known in no uncertain terms that she wanted barry's senate seat. Now imagine her ire when she realized she was never in the running?

What say you?

Fair trial?

Ask yourselves one thing: would you think it fair to be summarily fired, without any tangible legal proof, that you stole from the company for which you worked just because you were caught on (not yet proven to be legally obtained) tapes discussing your plans in profane language, and in so doing pist off your coworkers because you dared to embarrass your messiah of a coworker on track to be CEO and thus in a position to grant them future favors?

And if those tapes had nothing to do with why you were fired in the first place but were used anyway to embarrass and shame you in the court of public opinion guaranteeing a jaundiced jury when (if ever) you go to trial?

Who among you would not take your case to the media?

Now get real and see it for what it was.

IL Dems re: Blagojevich impeachment

January 30, 2009

Illinois Democrats respond to Gov Blagojevich's impeachment

ROLAND BURRIS:

As I've repeatedly stated, the Governor must be held accountable for his actions to the legislature, in a court of law and to the people of the State of Illinois.Today’s conviction speaks loud and clear that there are serious issues preventing him from fulfilling his responsibilities and I support putting new leadership in place.

NBC 5:

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton accused Blagojevich of showing a "self-aggrandizing absentee style of leadership" that was bad for Illinois.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan said she's committed to moving Illinois beyond "this sad chapter" and she pledged to work with Quinn to restore people's trust in government.

Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes [one of barry's 5 picks] said he supported the state Senate's decision to remove Rod Blagojevich from office.

State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias 9barry's basketball buddy] said Thursday's actions mark a "new beginning" and that the state now has a governor who values "collaboration over combativeness."

Gov. Pat Quinn and hope to put the "sad chapter" of his predecessors' administration behind them.

Shortly after Quinn took the oath of office, Secretary of State Jesse White [refused to certify Burris' appointment] congratulated him.

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley said he congratulated Quinn on being sworn in, and said he was glad "this sad and tragic chapter in our state's history is behind us and that it's time to look to the future, and time for Quinn and the legislature to begin rebuilding confidence in state government.

Impeachment won't strip blago's pension

January 26, 2009

I don't know how much he made in the last week but his wife has lost her $100K/yr job and he's about to lose his $177K. On the bright side - even if he is impeached he will retain his governor's pension. All they can do for now is kick him out of office and ban his return. If he is convicted in criminal court, the state pension board can do what they did with Gov Ryan and deny him his pension. He's not eligible to receive it for 3 more years (age 55). And even then he has his Congressional pension. Pat Quinn has already warned him that he's going to have to find a way home himself - even though it's customary for the governor to retain his security detail for a year. What remains to be seen is if he will attempt a final eff you as far as pardons, etc.

Good article by LEIGH CALDWELL on the actual financial breakdown of the cost of a senate seat. Tongue-in-cheek conclusion: "Rod Blagojevich was just too honest to sell the seat for its maximum possible value."

Day 2: blago impeachment trial

January 27, 2009

At Gov Blagojevich's impeachment trial today the famous wiretap tapes were played. Why I don't know - because he is not being impeached because of his alleged attempts to sell barry's vacated senate seat. Fitzgerald isn't even ready to charge blago on anything - so why are they playing? To prejudice the proceedings and entertain the media?

blago's absolutely right. The trial is a joke. Most of the media thinks the trial is based on the tapes and they're laughing at his making the rounds. But under that helmet of hair he is as wily as ever. He reached a huge audience, proclaimed his innocence, and explained that he is not being allowed to defend himself against the tapes, which have not even been proven to be undoctored or even testified to that that is his voice on the tape.

Anyway the tapes have him discussing how he wants to grant legislative favors in return for campaign cash. What politician does not do this? The ones not in office. He wanted to exchange barry's senate seat for a job for himself and his wife to secure a future for his family post-impeachment. Reasonable. He wasn't doing anything any other politician has done or will do. He just had the misfortune of being taped. But his biggest problem was bringing a "taint" to barry that barry, his minions and the proobamedia could hide. That was why the rush for judgment and the smearing of blago in the media and the ridiculous morning arrest - replete with handcuffs - staged for the national media.

That in itself was criminal. They arrested him because he was out doing his job standing up for the workers who had without warning lost their jobs. And he was successful. He got them money - not what they deserved but he got them something. That seems to have gotten lost in all this. But if one of those workers or one of their relatives get on that jury, Fitzgerald is going to have an acquittal or mistrial.

blago had done nothing but talk...and swear. Alot. And of course they were bleeped out today. Why censor now when everyone had already read or heard them? This way they can say it wasn't prejudicial. It's a joke. Pretend it was barry they were trying to impeach. Mayor Daley. Wouldn't fly.

blago did not act on anything and should have been given some respect as the state's governor until he was actually indicted on something. The legislators had been waiting for a moment like this and they seized it. Pat Quinn wants to be governor so bad he can't shout loud enough that blago will be impeached! He's been waiting years for this moment. He wants it over so he can get started on his campaign fundraising.

Why was there an end date to the trial before it began and before they knew whether or not blago was going to present a case?

He should have been allowed to surrender himself like most other politicians would have been. Can you imagine them doing that to barry or Dick Durbin or Harry Reid no matter what they were accused of? Get one juror who was arrested like that unnecessarily shaming and again it's over. And why the rush? For what? Three to six more months of investigation by Patrick Fitzgerald?

blago's being railroaded and by the time his trial comes around barry will be a blip on the radar and will have pist off a lot of people - he already has and it's only been one week. Blago - if he behaves - will get that juror just for standing up and appointing Mr Burris. That was political genius. The Illinois legislature are the shame-faced ones because they did not see it coming.

Fitzgerald blew his own case and he knows it. Why didn't he wait till he had the deal on tape and on video?

Because it was barry's minions making it. That is why blago was taken down in dramatic fashion. Lest you forget - senate candidate #5 is Jesse Jackson, Jr - barry's campaign co-chair - and he was still acting in official capacity.

Rahm Emanuel, barry's incoming Chief of Staff and good buddy of blago (he took blago's old post as state representative) was on those tapes discussing who knows what. Why weren't those released? Emanuel campaigned for blago- with barry . He even bragged he won it for blago.

Valerie Jarrett - seen her lately? She was barry's number one pick and she suddenly drops out? When she really wanted it? Why?

No coincidences. barry himself had to be interviewed by Fitzgerald. The President-elect was interviewed by the US Attorney. Just think about that. barry has all these innocent mistakes and that was not the fill in the blank he knew. He was also named in Rezko's indictment while he was running for president.

What is it going to take folks?

It was wrong to make a joke of blago. He may be a tad off, and he may have allegedly done some crazy things, but he is smart as hell as evidenced by his pick of Burris - and he is likable in a charming grandiose way. Audiences love him.

Back to the tapes where he describes what he and his wife need.

Prosecutor's exhibit: Rod Blagojevich stated that his decision about the open Senate seat will be based on three criteria, in the following order of importance: our legal situation, our personal situation, my political situation. This decision, like every other one, needs to be based upon that. Legal. Personal. Political.

Name one politician who doesn't operate the same.

Blagojevich's impeachment not a witch hunt?

January 14, 2009

You don't think the Blagojevich's discrediting and subsequent vote for impeachment was not politically motivated?

That it wasn't rushed through to save face for barry?

Of course it was.

Blagojevich has been under investigation for years - even before his reelection in 2006. The Democrats voted him into power, so how corrupt was he then and why didn't they care? blago has always been blago - just as governor he got more power and was dealing in more cash.

But when Fitzgerald has blago on the cusp of actually committing an offense - something he could have gotten on tape and on video - he abruptly pulls the plug.

Why?

Because it involved barry. Only logical explanation.

Why wait years and not catch blago in the act? He didn't actually DO anything on those tapes and the conspiracy rests on senate candidate #5 - Jesse Jackson, Jr. Heard about him lately?

blagojevich talked and swore and stuck it to his impeachers by appointing Burris, but he is innocent of any wrongdoing in the eyes of the law. Not so in the court of public opinion, the proobamedia, and most definitely not in Illinois.

Patrick Fitzgerald comes out with this eye-popping press conference and releases documents with f--- this and f--- that and dramatically states that "Lincoln would be rolling over in his grave!" and then what happens? He covers for barry by saying he doesn't want information released when he really wanted to interview barry and his top aides: Valerie Jarrett and Rahm Emanuel. And of course it was convenient for both of them to wait till right before the holidays to release it because barry would be out of commenting range and Fitzgerald wouldn't have to admit he wasn't ready to charge Blago.

When was the last time you saw Emanuel or Jarrett?

Who should be speaking for barry - axelrod or Emanuel? It is the transition not the campaign - even if barry is still giving speeches instead of press conferences.

Instead, they focus on Mr Burris - probably the least corrupt politician in the state - as being tainted because blago did his constitutional duty as a governor. It was legal appointment that pist everyone off because they didn't think blago would do it and they were positive he couldn't find someone who would accept it. But he called their bluff. That is what is driving all this frenetic urgency. Not the appointment itself or his choice of appointee. They're pist because he said f- you one last time. And not on tape, but in front of the whole world.

But his biggest sin was taking the press from barry. That's what finally made barry act.

Senator-elect Burris, if one is honest, is more qualified on every front to be senator than Caroline Kennedy. And what will Gov Patterson's appointment be based on? Is the pressure on him to pick Kennedy any less "tainted"? Who knows what has been offered behind the scenes that has not (as far as I know) been documented?

Lost in the blago rush to judgment farce is the fact that Fitzgerald has asked for at least three more months to indict or do whatever with Blagojevich. So why the rush in the first place? Why show his hand when blago the day before his arrest was telling people to go ahead and tape him. He clearly wasn't aware he was under surveillance and he clearly hadn't DONE anything and the appointment was clearly not yet made.

And after spending The People of Illinois' taxes out of one-sided spite, they all agreed that Burris was a legal appointment - as he always was. And today, Governor Blagojevich will swear in the members of the Illinois legislature as the legal governor. He will swear in the very people who will impeach him. That's legal. The Bills he has signed since his premature arrest are legal. And yet his appointment of Burris wasn't?

How can he be tainted in one regard, but not when it suits the Illinois legislators?

And why is anyone listening to Pat Quinn who will be taking over the job?

It was a circus manufactured to take the heat off barry's people. Blagojevich was arrested because barry's people were involved in his scheme. Jesse Jackson Jr was co-chair of barry's presidential campaign and still acting in official capacity. Valerie Jarret was barry's main choice for senator and was appointed White House advisor after she abruptly "decided" she didn't want to be senator. Who gave her a heads up? Rahm Emanuel was/is barry's White House Chief of Staff. And lest we forget - Harry Reid made his own phone calls to the tainted, crooked and corrupt governor to broker a deal or at the very least impact Blagojevich's appointment.

So if Burris is tainted - why isn't Reid, who is the head of the Senate?

Where is the mention of the (at least) three month delay in charging Blagojevich?

Where is the investigation and demanding of information from Jarrett, Emanuel, Reid, barry and Fitzgerald?

Instead, it's on Mr Burris whose appointment was always legal. And on blagojevich, who is still acting as governor, who is still signing bills, who is swearing in the members if Illinois legislature, and whose appointee will indeed be seated in the US senate. And incidental to all this, he is still innocent of any wrongdoing. He has not been indicted anywhere except in the court of public opinion and he now has absolutely no chance of getting a fair trial.

But he has served as a wonderful distraction for barry and his top aides Jarrett and Emanuel and barry's ex campaign co-chair, Jesse Jackson Jr. And then there's Reid, who was hoping Blago would go peacefully into the night by resigning.

Not a witch hunt?

barry's statement on Burris' appointment

December 30, 2008

barry comments on Mr Burris' appointment:

BARRY: Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat. The best resolution would be for the governor to resign his office and allow a lawful and appropriate process of succession.

Guess what barry? Burris has been legally appointed whether you and your buds who were also busted and there is nothing you, Madigan, Quinn, Reid, Durbin or anyone else can do about it. blago said eff you right to your face in front of the nation. He out Chicagoed all of you and somewhere Boss Daley is chuckling his head off.

democrats respond to blago comments

December 20, 2008

democrats respond to blago comments

Democrats respond to Blagojevich

Funny thing - I haven't seen Senator Clinton's statement and she grew up in Chicago and reportedly proved voter fraud in the 1960 Nixon-Kennedy election. Mayor Daley Sr won the election for Kennedy by delivering Illinois. Jr has been following in kind.

12-9 BARRY in initial (no) comment on arrest:

I am saddened and sobered by the news that came out of the US Attorneys office today. But as this is an ongoing investigation involving the governor, I don't think it will be appropriate for me to comment on the issue at this time.

12-9 Lt Gov PAT QUINN: called on Gov. Blagojevich today to “do the right thing and step aside.”

I hope he does the appropriate thing for Illinois.

12-9 Speaker of the House MICHEAL MADIGAN refused to comment.

12-9 Rep JOHN FRITCHEY:

There is no doubt these allegations create a sense of immediacy for the House to take a look at beginning impeachment proceedings...I believe we need to act sooner rather than later.

12-10 SENATOR DICK DURBIN, (D-IL)

I am writing to ask you to step down as Governor of Illinois. Beyond guilt or innocence, the charges against you raise serious questions about your ability to carry out your duties as chief executive of our state.

I also ask you not to appoint the next United States Senator from Illinois. Because of the nature of the charges against you, no matter whom you were to select, that individual would be under a cloud of suspicion. That would not serve our state, our nation, or the United States Senate.

Legislative efforts to impeach you or remove your ability to appoint the replacement for the United States Senate have been initiated but those options could take some time accomplish. I urge you to choose the path that will be the most beneficial for the people of Illinois and the nation, and resign immediately

12-10 MAYOR DALEY:

He has to figure out what's best for him and his family and the state of Illinois. He will have to do the right thing.

12-11 BARRY press conference:

I’ve asked my team to gather the facts of any contacts with the governor’s office about this vacancy so that we can share them with you over the next few days. [Seen them yet?]

I to see is a quick resolution of this issue. I want to make sure that the next senator from the state of Illinois is carrying a forward tradition of service, that the next senator from Illinois is not tainted by what has taken place so far.

12-11 HOWARD DEAN:

The arrest of and complaint against Gov. Blagojevich raises serious concerns about his ability to effectively represent the people of Illinois. In the interest of the people of Illinois and all Americans, he should resign immediately. If he does not, I hope the Illinois legislature will take action.

12-12 ABNER MIKVA, former congressman, appeals court judge and political mentor of barry:

Obama saw this coming, and he was very cautious about not having dealings with the governor for quite some time. The governor was perhaps the only American public officeholder who didn't speak at the convention, and that wasn't by accident. He's politically poisonous. You don't get through Chicago like Barack Obama did unless you know how to avoid people like that.

12-12 IL Attorney General, LISA MADIGAN. US Senator 1998-2002 and pal of barry's. Her fater Micheal Madigan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has had a major feud with Blagojevich and barry's senator maker and legislation diverter Emil Jones.

We think it is very clear he is incapable of serving. We want to make sure the people of Illinois have a governor who can legitimately fulfill the duties of that office.

12-12 JESSE JACKSON, JR interview with CNN's DON LEMON:

The governor not only cannot perform his functions under the constitution of the state of Illinois - but has clearly violated [he smiles like I'm not alone - he's worse] a number of statutes under out state statutes and potentially federal statutes. And there may be a capacity issue. A capacity as mental capacity - he cannot function under the duress.

12-12 BLAGOJEVICH:

I’ll have a lot to say at the appropriate time.

12-12 Lt Governor PAT QUINN said his selection process for the Senate seat would be transparent. Quinn said it would be "premature" to talk names but said he would "never" appoint himself.

It is an urgent matter. This is an emergency. Illinois is in a crisis.

12-13 MADIGAN: Is seeking for the IL Supreme Court to find him unfit to serve and wants Lt Governor Pat Quinn to take over.

I recognize that this is an extraordinary request, but these are extraordinary circumstances. Gov. Blagojevich can no longer fulfill his official duties with any legitimacy. [Blagojevich is] unable to serve as governor due to disability and should not rightfully continue to hold that office. His ability to provide effective leadership has been eliminated, and the state government is paralyzed.

Rep. Jack Franks (D-IL) said it would set "a dangerous precedent" for the court to remove a governor as proposed by Madigan, who is a likely candidate for governor in 2010. Franks, a fierce Blagojevich critic, said that kind of decision should be left to state lawmakers.

Illinois Supreme Court spokesman JOHN TYBOR would not comment on when the court might act on the motion, saying only that it "will be properly considered."