By David Rutter

The likely ascendancy of Roland Burris to the Senate seat once held by people who had earned it is being blamed mostly on Rod Blagojevich’s stupendous cupidity.
Makes sense.
In this scenario, Blago is the unrelenting villain, while Burris plays the more-or-less semi-sentient but honest bystander. He’s playing Ethel Mertz to Blago’s Lucy.
When the people of Illinois eventually get to hear the unfiltered voice of the governor on wiretaps, they will make whatever decision they wish on his role in the current messification.
But why does Burris get a free pass, even if his worst crime is being a political cuckold? Has he no dignity?
And why do the black officeholders of Illinois, not to mention the nation, not see Blago’s clever manipulation as a newfangled version of Reconstruction carpetbaggery?
The same process that will allow Burris to take his job tainted the first two black senators in U.S. history.

Read More

Posted on January 7, 2009

By Steve Rhodes

A look inside the Obama transition team’s internal report.
*
“Emanuel has declined to speak to reporters about his role in Senate succession and left for vacation in Africa before the report’s release,” the Tribune reports. “In a conference call with reporters, Craig characterized Emanuel’s conversations with Blagojevich as ‘completely innocent’ and ‘completely appropriate’.”
*
Transparency policy: we’ll post our carefully calibrated positions and failures to comment on our website and make our bullshit transparent!
*
“Craig said his investigation should put to rest any suspicion that Obama’s staff was involved in dealmaking, but the timeline of conversations in the report contained apparent inconsistencies that raised new questions about Emanuel’s role on behalf of the president-elect.”
*
Ed Genson says his internal report should put to rest an suspicion about his client too!
*
“Craig’s report also did not explain why Blagojevich felt he had been rebuffed by Obama’s transition team in trying to cut a deal to name Jarrett to the Senate.”
*
“Obama has portrayed himself as taking a hands-off appraach to the governor’s decision about whom to appoint to his Senate seat. But the report noted that he was very interested in who would succeed him in the Senate.”
*
Should reporters to whom Emanuel leaked Valerie Jarrett’s name as trial balloons now come clean and reveal him as their source? And is it even remotely possible he was “freelancing” against Obama’s wishes?

Read More

Posted on December 31, 2008

By Jay Stewart

Editor’s Note: While we’ve had the testimony before the Illinois House Special Investigative Committee of Cindi Canary of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform posted on the site for several days, I just noticed that I missed the earlier testimony of Jay Stewart of the Better Government Association. The subpoeanas in question in the testimony have finally been released to the BGA, which issued this statement on Monday. And now, on to Jay’s testimony.
December 18, 2008 – I would like to thank the Committee for the opportunity to testify today.
The events of last week are deeply troubling and as a result the functioning of state government has been seriously impaired and will remain so as long as Rod Blagojevich remains Governor.
Our state is in crisis and the Better Government Association (“BGA”) supports the action taken by the General Assembly by initiating these impeachment hearings. The removal of an elected official is an extraordinary event, but we are not living in ordinary times. These hearings must proceed in a manner that promotes public confidence in our government. It is imperative that the people have confidence in our rule of law, as embodied in our Constitution, and in our elected officials. Therefore, all interested parties to these hearings must be provided with an opportunity to be heard and due process must be preserved. To the extent that my testimony can assist the General Assembly in these important proceedings, I am pleased to be a part of the process and look forward to answering any questions that you may have.
It is my understanding that the Committee is interested in the BGA’s successful litigation with Governor Blagojevich over his refusal to produce federal grand jury subpoenas we have requested under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”). I will try to summarize events surrounding the litigation. In addition, I am submitting exhibits connected to the litigation, including a transcript of the trial court’s ruling and the written opinion of the 4th District Court of Appeals to supplement my testimony.

Read More

Posted on December 30, 2008

By Cindi Canary

Testimony given to the Illinois House Special Investigative Committee, December 22, 2008
I am Cindi Canary, Director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, a non-profit, non-partisan public interest group that conducts research and advocates reforms to promote public participation, address the role of money in politics and encourage integrity, accountability and transparency in government.
Ten years ago, ICPR was founded by the late Sen. Paul Simon, who throughout his government career – including his service in the Illinois House and the Senate – was dedicated to cleaning up politics and government in Illinois.
I am here today at the invitation of this Committee to address the pay-to-play scandal that has enveloped the Blagojevich Administration.
I want this Committee to be aware, that ICPR has publicly called for the governor’s resignation. After reading the complaint lodged by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, it was clear to ICPR that the allegations have created, at the very least, a serious appearance of corruption, which has impeded the governor’s ability to govern. The governor’s intention to fight these charges without leaving office has made impeachment proceedings unavoidable.
We believe that the federal government’s complaint provides ample basis for removing Gov. Blagojevich from office, particularly when viewed in conjunction with the fundraising and contracting patterns, which I will outline in my testimony.

Read More

Posted on December 23, 2008

By The Beachwood Fitzmas Affairs Desk

1. Is There A Dumber Boy?
(To the tune of “Little Drummer Boy”)
Here’s a Senate seat for you
I’m dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb
Some gifts and cash will do
I’m dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb
Pay-offs and bribes I did accrue
I’m dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb,
dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb,
dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb
Read all about it in the Tribune
I’m dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb
Now my name is scum

Read More

Posted on December 16, 2008

By The Beachwood Blago Defense Theory Affairs Desk

The Beachwood has learned that Rod Blagojevich’s legal team is considering the following defenses.
*
I didn’t do it.
*
That’s not me on the phone. It’s my twin brother.
*
The glove doesn’t fit.
*
My hair made me do it.

Read More

Posted on December 10, 2008

By The Beachwood Bureau of Fading Industries

The Big 3 automakers this week released some details about how they would restructure themselves should the federal government grant them a humongous bailout. For example, GM said that Pontiac would become a niche brand, and Saab would likely be sold. Ford said it would double the number of its flex fuel vehicles by 2010. And Chrysler said it would produce a fully functional electric car, also by 2010. The Beachwood Bureau of Fading Industries, however, has obtained documents that show the automakers have far more drastic changes in the works.
GM
* Will actually put the Canyonero into production.
* Will sue to collect royalties from Bruce Springsteen for “Cadillac Ranch.”
* Will hire Michael Moore to make another documentary about them; this time it will be called Congress & Me.
* Chief Executive Rick Wagoner will trade in his private Japanese jet for one made in America.

Read More

Posted on December 4, 2008

By The Beachwood Lonely Dissenter Affairs Desk

Ald. Billy Ocasio cast the lone vote against Mayor Daley’s budget. Here he is explaining why.

[- Via Newsalert via Progress Illinois via WTTW]

Read More

Posted on November 28, 2008

By The Campaign Finance Institute

Editor’s Note: Sigh.
REALITY CHECK: Obama Received About the Same Percentage from Small Donors in 2008 as Bush in 2004
Obama also raised 80% more from large donors than small, outstripping all rivals and predecessors
It turns out that Barack Obama’s donors may not have been quite as different as we had thought. Throughout the election season, this organization and others have been reporting that Obama received about half of his discrete contributions in amounts of $200 or less. The Campaign Finance Institute (CFI) noted in past releases that donations are not the same as donors, since many people give more than once. After a more thorough analysis of data from the Federal Election Commission (FEC), it has become clear that repeaters and large donors were even more important for Obama than we or other analysts had fully appreciated.
“The myth is that money from small donors dominated Barack Obama’s finances,” said CFI’s executive director Michael J. Malbin. “The reality of Obama’s fundraising was impressive, but the reality does not match the myth.”

Read More

Posted on November 25, 2008

By The Better Government Association

Court upholds ruling that Blagojevich must disclose subpoenas
Springfield, Illinois (Nov. 20, 2008) – The Better Government Association (“BGA”) is thrilled that the 4th District Court of Appeals has upheld the public’s right to know. Today, the court ruled that the BGA is entitled to federal grand jury subpoenas that have been served upon the Blagojevich administration. The BGA first requested these documents in July 2006. After repeated denials for the information, in January 2007, the BGA sued Governor Blagojevich under Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”).

Read More

Posted on November 21, 2008