• IS BLAGO'S FUNDRAISER A FUGITIVE? ARE THERE MORE CHARGES PENDING?
• NEW POLL NUMBERS SHOW COOK CO. PRESIDENT'S RACE TIED
• ANOTHER TWIST IN THE 93RD DISTRICT HOUSE RACE
• IL CHAMBER, NFIB AIR SMALL BUSINESS SPOTS FOR TOPINKA
• REPRESENTATIVE PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIP TO DONOR FAMILY
• PI EDITORIAL CARTOON
• EDITORIAL OF THE WEEK: Chicago Tribune - Peraica's siege on the politburo

IS BLAGO'S FUNDRAISER A FUGITIVE? ARE THERE MORE CHARGES PENDING?

Consummate Blagojevich insider Tony Rezko was indicted last week on multiple charges stemming from his close relationship with the Governor.  Rezko skipped his first court hearing because he is out of the county in an undisclosed location, according to his attorney.  A new hearing is schedule for this Thursday but the FBI has said that they are actively hunting Rezko.

Meanwhile, rumors have hit the campaign trail that additional charges are pending, but not yet made public.  These charges reportedly contend that even more blatant fundraising abuse has taken place.  The theory is that once Rezko decides to return to the country, the new indictments will be made public.

Rezko has been charged with a number of crimes relating to public corruption.  U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called Rezko's actions a "pay to play scheme on steroids".  It is alleged that Rezko used his inner-circle position to demand campaign contributions for Friends of Blagojevich and to personally enrich himself with kickbacks from contractors and potential state contractors.  Rezko, it is alleged, used his relationship with Stu Levine, a Blagojevich appointee to the Teacher's Retirement System to steer pension business to favored campaign contributors.

Rezko has long been in the center of a number of federal investigations.  Rezko, a real estate developer, received a large contract with the Toll Highway Authority, has placed a number of former employees in top Blagojevich administration positions and often travels and advises Blagojevich.  The Blagojevich family has personally benefited from the friendship in that Mrs. Blagojevich was in a real estate deal with Rezko that netted the first family tens of thousands of dollars.

Rezko has contributed thousands of dollars to Blagojevich's campaign and raised over a million dollars for Blagojevich's political career.  The Governor indicated last week that he will donate the money contributed by Rezko to charity.  Several other candidates and officials, including Attorney General Lisa Madigan, indicated that they will also be donating Rezko contributions to charity.

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NEW POLL NUMBERS SHOW COOK CO. PRESIDENT'S RACE TIED

The Chicago Tribune is reporting new poll numbers that show the race between Tony Peraica and Todd Stroger is a virtual tie.  Stroger leads Peraica 39%-36% with a 5% margin of error.  The poll of 481 likely Cook County voters also showed about 22% undecided which could tip the balance for either candidate.

The Trib poll surprisingly indicated that more than 20% of self-identifying Democrats will pull a GOP ballot on November 7^th.  Stroger is pulling much of his support from Chicago while Peraica is counting on strong support from the suburban areas. 

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ANOTHER TWIST IN THE 93RD DISTRICT HOUSE RACE

Earlier this year State Representative Art Tenhouse decided to retire after a successful career representing Quincy and the surrounding Western Illinois district.  Jil Tracy was appointed to fill his term and to stand for election in November by area Republicans.  The Democrats had not run anyone in the March primary given Tenhouse's high approval rating.  However, now that the seat wasn't going to be defended by Tenhouse, the popular former Quincy Mayor Chuck Scholz was appointed to run against Tracy.  Shortly thereafter, though, Scholz contracted a rare liver disease and dropped out of the race.

With Scholz out of the race, local Democrats appointed Kelly Street to run against Tracy.  Street, although lacking name ID and money, was considered a contender capable of picking up another seat for the House Democrats.  However, in yet another twist, Street announced that he would be dropping out of the race last week.  Street works for the state but his position is partially funded by federal money and it was ruled last week that his candidacy violated the Hatch Act barring federal employees from running for partisan elected positions.  Tracy, once again, finds herself without an opponent and this time it is too late for Democrats to appoint a replacement.

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IL CHAMBER, NFIB AIR SMALL BUSINESS SPOTS FOR TOPINKA

The Governor's anti-small business policies are the centerpiece of radio advertisements touting a change in the Governor's Mansion.  The spots feature three small business owners explaining the impact of Blagojevich's tax and fee increases have had on their business and ability to create jobs.  The spots were produced and paid for by the Illinois Chamber and the National Federation of Independent Business.  Listen to the ads, posted on the Chamber PAC website, www.illinoisbusinessaction.com.

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REPRESENTATIVE PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIP TO DONOR FAMILY

State Representative Mike Boland, D-Moline, has provided a scholarship worth about $10,000 to the daughter of his largest campaign contributor.  The Legislative Scholarship program enables legislators to provide two, four-years scholarships each year to Illinois state universities.  Most legislators have some mechanism in place to award scholarships based on need.  Boland indicated in 2000 that he would not provide scholarships to students of families that make more the $100,000.  The student in this case comes from a family that makes in excess of that figure.  "This just smells of pay-to-play politics," said Cindi Canary of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.

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PI EDITORIAL CARTOON

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EDITORIAL OF THE WEEK: Chicago Tribune - Peraica's siege on the politburo

"How debased is Cook County's regard for taxpayer dollars--money that could buy better health care and law enforcement? Consider: After FBI agents raided county offices to seek evidence of corruption, the County Board took firm action: It reminded the bloated workforce of 26,000 that county employees can't hire defense attorneys who charge more than $185 an hour.

Great. For decades, Cook County government has been a squalid playpen for political cronies who pillage it for jobs and contracts. Now, as the feds finally attack the corruption, the County Board boldly fusses over ... how much money taxpayers will have to spend on payrollers' lawyers."  Read the whole thing...

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