• General Assembly Passes $56 Billion State Budget
• Blagojevich Pours Millions Into Early TV Ads
• PI FYI: Top Tier Races - 42nd Senate District
• Some Judicial Candidates Question Integrity of Bar Association Rating
• Editorial of the Week - Belleville News Democrat - "Cleaning up the Courts"

General Assembly Passes $56 Billion State Budget

Late Thursday night, the State Senate passed a budget with great promises but little in the bank to pay for them.  For the second year running, the Legislature approved a budget that relies on slowing payments to an already under funded pension system, continue to pay state bills at an agonizing pace and swept millions from dedicated funds for a one-time fix.  "This is a budget that helps people," Gov. Rod Blagojevich said "We turned this budget around to make it work to create more opportunities for families across Illinois." 

The budget also includes millions upon million for special projects requested by legislative members - largely Democratic members.  Republican members of the House and Senate were not invited and did not participate in any of the budget negotiations that occurred this year.  The IL House passed the budget on Wednesday but it was held up in the State Senate while Hispanic members were assured of receiving specific budget items for their districts.

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Blagojevich Pours Millions Into Early TV Ads

Since winning the primary on March 21, Governor Blagojevich has spent a whopping $1.7 million on television ads across Illinois.  According to an analysis done by TNS Media Intelligence/Campaign Media Analysis Group, the Blagojevich campaign is now spending $800,000 a week on TV ads.  "Doug Scofield, a top campaign adviser to Blagojevich, said the campaign's decision to air TV ads so early did not reflect potential problems for the governor's re-election."

This early television onslaught is something different for Illinois voters and also something of a turn-around from what Blagojevich said when he announced for Governor in 2001.  He said during his announcement, "In an age of TV politics, I want you to know there is no substitute for people going door to door, neighbor to neighbor, calling friends, being involved."  Apparently, in his re-election campaign, Blagojevich has decided that TV is a fine substitute for actually meeting with people (see Schoenburg column below).

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PI FYI: Top Tier Races - 42nd Senate District

Background:  Another open seat in this year's election due to a Senate Republican member seeking different office.  Deputy Minority Leader Ed Petka is running for a judge's position, which adds this district to a list of potential targeted races.

The district includes Plainfield and Aurora and is generally considered a Republican seat.  However, changing demographics in the Aurora area are a reason for Republicans to take the race seriously.

District voting patterns:

George W. Bush took 48.5% in 2000.

Blagojevich took only 45.2% in 2002.

The district is represented by one Republican and one Democrat.

Candidate Profiles:

Terri Ann Wintermute (R-Bolingbrook)

Will County Board member and business owner Terri Ann Wintermute will be the Republican nominee this fall.  She has extensive public service experience.  In addition to county board duties, Wintermute has worked as the Bolingbrook Mayor's Assistant for Economic Development, legislative assistant to State Representative Jim Meyer, and township clerk.

Her family owns Chicagoland Quad Cities Express, a logistic firm, where Terri is responsible for union negotiations, and banking and insurance requirements.  The business employs 100 people.

Website:   http://www.terriannwintermute.com/

Linda Holmes (D-Aurora)

Holmes fashions herself a "moderate" Democrat.  She and her husband own a remodeling business, and she has been featured on several episodes of a home improvement show on the Discovery Channel.

Holmes is a Sierra Club member, and lists healthcare, education, and environmental conservation as top issues.  She was elected to the Kane County Board in 2005, beating a 24 year incumbent.

Website:   www.holmesforsenate.com

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Some Judicial Candidates Question Integrity of Bar Association Rating

Political insiders have been questioning the process by which Illinois State Bar Association members rate judicial candidates.  In recent years, there have been quiet rumors and subtle concerns about alleged attempts to undermine the process in favor of a particular judicial candidate or in favor of a particular political party.  The polling of ISBA members is intended to provide the public with the opinion of attorneys in the district in which a candidate is running.  The theory, of course, is that such lawyers have worked with the candidate and should best know their qualifications.

In the Ninth Judicial Circuit, four of the six primary candidates have requested that the ISBA investigate potential improprieties in the ISBA poll.  According to a letter sent by the four candidates - 2 Democratic and 2 Republican - they question the fact that 45 of the 143 ballots were from non-ISBA members or from ISBA members who do not reside in the Ninth.  The primary winners have said they had nothing to do with the possibility that someone attempted to alter the results.

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Editorial of the Week - Belleville News Democrat - "Cleaning up the Courts"

"It was encouraging to see Madison County's new chief judge, Ann Callis -- and all the circuit judges -- back fellow Judge Don Weber and an important reform intended to curb judge shopping.  Now in class-action lawsuits, the plaintiffs as a group are allowed one automatic substitution of judge. Previously, the practice was to give one change to each individual plaintiff.

What's really amazing is that the judges -- Weber being the exception -- ever thought the old rule was fair. Not surprisingly, some attorneys exploited the rule. Some even would add plaintiffs to their cases just so they could get another automatic judge change."  Read the whole thing...

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