| |
|
|
| |
Last
week, at the same time that the City of Chicago patronage trial was beginning, it
was revealed by Illinois press sources that
Governor Blagojevich's administration maintains tracking lists
of hires and job requests from politically connected
individuals. The
list, which seems similar to a list that George Ryan's
administration held as well as a list the Daley patronage
operation kept, has similar political notations next to hires
or political hires.
Blagojevich's
re-election campaign and governmental spokesmen all said that
the list was not to keep track of political favors but to
provide accurate information to interested political
benefactors.
Last
week, Blagojevich admitted to firing two former patronage
officials citing improprieties in how some applicants were
tested, hired and/or promoted. Dawn DeFraties and
Michael Casey appealed their dismissals and on Thursday urged
the IL Civil Service Commission to reinstate their
positions.
DeFraties and Casey contend that they are being used as
scapegoats and were actually trying to bring fairness to the
hiring process.
Carl Draper, the attorney representing DeFraties and
Casey, said at the hearing Thursday that this case is going to
"point
to the heart of the Governor's
office."
The
consultant that initially acted as whistle-blower in the most
recent CMS hiring scandal turns out to have a questionable
contract with the State.
Donna
Simmons was awarded $137,000 for two different contracts for
doing essentially the same work, legal reorganization of
CMS. Her
boss, Ed Wynn, worked with Simmons at Ameritech and cancelled
one RFP and awarded that contract to
Simmons.
Finally,
it was also revealed that the Blagojevich Administration has
awarded another giant contract to another "insider". McKesson Health
Solutions was awarded a $146 million contract to assist with
the "All Kids" program.
McKesson
is represented by top Blagojevich fundraiser Milan
Petrovic. |
|
|
Top |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
State Senator James Meeks announced on
Friday that he would not seek an independent bid for
Governor. Meeks
was prepared to announce his candidacy and that of an entire
independent slate this past Saturday. Meeks and Blagojevich
met on a number of different occasions over the course of
several days last week.
During the course of this lengthy negotiation process,
Meeks and Blagojevich came to an understanding regarding
education funding in Illinois. Blagojevich is
scheduled to announce his education plan on Tuesday of this
week.
Meeks
has said for some time that he was not happy about the funding
level for education in Illinois. It is rumored that the
deal between Blagojevich and Meeks includes more than $1.5
billion for education without a sales or income tax
increase. Some
think that revenue derived from leasing the tollway system and
the lottery system could generate the needed new
revenue. |
|
|
Top |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
Background: House Democrats see
the northwestern suburbs as a battleground this year. They believe changing
demographics are making the territory ripe for Democrat
legislative candidates.
Economy of scale will be the Democrats best friend this
year. The
22nd Legislative District includes three targeted
seats. With Steve
Rauschenberger gone, the senate seat is open, and Democrats
are going after Munson and Rep. Terry Parke in the neighboring
44th Representative District. Republicans can also
benefit from the number of targeted races by combining
resources to defend their turf.
The
district includes Elgin, East
Dundee, and Carpentersville.
District
voting patterns:
Al
Gore won this district in 2000 with
50.5%
Blagojevich
beat Jim Ryan by only 115 votes.
Munson
won in 2004 by 387 votes.
Candidate
Profiles:
 Ruth Munson
(R-Elgin)
Ruth Munson, an Elgin
software development small business owner, was appointed to
the state house in 2002, following the death of State Rep.
Doug Hoeft.
Munson narrowly won election in 2004, beating her
opponent by 387 votes. She was
previously a member of the Elgin City Council. Munson is involved in
numerous civic organizations, and has made economic
development and small business issues her legislative
priorities in Springfield.
Most
recently, Munson has worked to expedite payment cycles and
information for small business owners that do business with
the state. She
has also authored legislation to assist Illinois manufacturers
wishing to retool and adapt to a changing economy. Munson had an 82%
voting record with the Illinois Chamber in 2003 and
2004.
Website: www.ruthmunson.com
Hollie Kissane (D-Carpentersville)
Kissane is a Kane County Board member
who beat an incumbent Republican in 2004 for the spot. The seat was
traditionally Democrat, so her election was not quite the
"upset" that Democrats want people to believe.
Munson's narrow victory over a
candidate that received no help from the Democrat Party of
Illinois, gives the House Dems hope that they can win
here.
Website:
NA |
|
|
Top |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
The search for
candidates to replace State Rep. Art Tenhouse (R-Liberty)
continues in the 93rd House District. Prior to Tenhouse's
decision to retire in July, there was no Democratic
candidate. Now,
however, both the Democrats and Republicans are seeking to
find a strong enough candidate to take the district in
November.
Area
Democratic leaders have met and will hear from potential
candidates this week.
Contenders include, former Quincy Mayor Chuck Scholz,
Adams County Sheriff Brent Fischer, Matt
Obert, Randy Dickhut and Monica Scholz. On the GOP side, a
number of candidates are under consideration including, Adams
County Circuit Clerk Randy Frese, Adams County Board Chairman
Mike McLaughlin, Tom Ernst, Leo Henning, Lonnie Dunn, Jeremy
Farlow and sheriff candidate Jon McCoy. Also, former State
Rep. Jeff Mays and former State Sen. Laura Kent Donahue may be
included on internal polls.
"Political
Insider has also heard
the name of Jill Tracy mentioned. Tracy is an attorney
who has worked in the Illinois Attorney General's office since
the Jim Ryan years. She is related to family that owns
DOT Foods in Mt. Sterling."
|
|
|
Top |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
The
strange tail of the 2003 Junior Grand Champion steer finally
came to an end last week when the Illinois Appellate Court
reversed Mongo's disqualification. Mongo was disqualified
almost three year's ago because of allegations of improper
medicinal usage at the State Fair. Mongo's family fought
the disqualification and the harsh criticism offered by
first-time State Fair Governor Blagojevich. At the time
Blagojevich said, "If
we discover that someone is cheating, whether they be human
beings or cows, they're going to pay a price."
Mongo's family feels
vindicated by the decision although they are not able to share
their success with Mongo, he was slaughtered shortly after the
competition. |
|
|
Top |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
"There we were
last week, crammed into a small hearing room across the street
from the Executive Mansion, listening to what many believe is
the beginning of the latest scandal to bring down a top
Illinois politician.
The subject at hand was an appeal
of the firing of two people who helped run the state agency in
charge of hiring.
The administration claims the duo
rigged employment tests for at least 28 workers. The two
counter that the fix started higher up the food chain, perhaps
with Joe Cini, who is known in these parts as one of
Blagojevich's patronage chiefs.
Not only does the fight
come against the backdrop of an election year, but it comes on
the heels of former Gov. George Ryan's conviction on
corruption charges and in the midst of a federal trial into
Chicago City Hall hiring
practices.
It's not good, folks." Read
the whole thing... |
|
|
Top |
| |
|
Forward
this email to a friend
|
