Either out of intentional irony or not, the Sun-Times sent crime writer Frank Main to cover Gov. Blagojevich’s victory party Tuesday night.
Political victories don’t make the feds go away, and they apparently don’t stop the news stories, either.
The latest story is about a lawsuit filed last week, just before the election. Maybe that’s why nobody wrote about it.
A state employee who says he was wrongly passed over for a promotion claims in a federal lawsuit that a political power broker decided who was hired at two agencies under Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
John Gnutek alleges William Cellini, a Republican campaign cash cow, agreed to support Blagojevich with about $86,000 in contributions in 2002 for extraordinary influence over hiring decisions at the Gaming Board and State Police.
Way down in the very last paragraph, however, is the most interesting part.
The suit also claims Cellini helped get Gaming Board jobs for two people he knew would do no work for their paychecks. The Gaming Board’s former interim director, Jeannette Tamayo, raised the same concern in a lawsuit against the board she filed in June.
Hope is not a plan, and the Republican hope that Rod Blagojevich is eventually indicted is a really stupid way to waste the next four years. Still, jokes from columnists can be fun. Pat Gauen:
The hovering threat could make Tuesday’s the most important election of a lieutenant governor in Illinois history. I once wrote that the only real duty of the job is to wait for a call from the governor’s coroner. That neglected the possibility of a call from the governor’s jailer.
Unless and until that happens, the corruption schtick is not a good issue for the severely damaged Illinois Republicans. At least not yet.
More than 85 percent of Illinois voters were concerned about corruption and ethics in state government, but half of those voters chose Blagojevich, 40 percent went with Repbulican challenger and 10 percent opted for Green Party candidate Rich Whitney, according to exit polls conducted for the Associated Press and the TV networks.
- Big Guy - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 5:59 am:
The idea that 50% of those that voted with concerns about ethics voted for Rod is mind boggleing. UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!!! That is totally against any logical, moral or ethical reason to retain a public offical. What a mess we have facing us.
- wndycty - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 6:44 am:
While I am a partisan Democrat who supported Rod I also consider myself objective when it comes to evaluating strategy and there are 3 things the Illinois GOP has to do:
1) Build a true big tent and find a way for the far right and moderates to get along. 3/4 of the state’s population is in the Chicago metro area which tends to be more moderate to liberal and if the GOP is going to win they have to be able to put forth a candidate who can put up respectable numbers in Cook, while still being exceptable to the rest of the state.
2) Realize that, while character counts, voters want ideas and a vision. Judy’s entire campaign was based soley on alleged corruption and whatever actions Patrick Fitzgerald was going to take. Rod had amazingly low approval ratings and he still won, why? Because he talked about the things that voters care about healthcare, education, public safety, minimum wage, et al.
Unfortunately voters are cynical when it comes to any politicians character and I trust that a significant number of them view everyone (regardless of party) as potentially corrupt. Its important to offer ideas and vision to distinguish yourself.
3) Quit making excuses and calling voters stupid. Judy and the GOP had both the time and the resources to challenge Rod in fundraising but the didn’t. Also don’t assume that just because voters ignored alleged wrong doing that they are stupid. Voters are SMART enough to distinguish between allegations and facts.
- state worker A - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 6:44 am:
“A state employee who says he was wrongly passed over for a promotion claims in a federal lawsuit that a political power broker decided who was hired at two agencies under Gov. Rod Blagojevich.”
I truely hope that one of those agencies mentioned is IDOT. If not, take a look. IDOT has the ‘friends and family’ agenda, just like Sprint cell phones.
- Randall Sherman - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 6:52 am:
I suspect that many of that 50% figure (who voted for Gov. Sleazy even though they voiced concern about corruption) believe that Rod will be ousted by the feds in short order, giving the state a Gov. Pat Quinn. I don’t see that happening. The feds will take their time, being very careful before trying to nail a sitting governor. You can also expect Rod to fight this tooth and nail. I believe you will see a Gov. Pat Quinn, about the time petitions for the 2010 race are being circulated. By that time, I fear that becoming Governor will be little more that a booby prize, due to the likely ordeal state government is about to be put through.
- Martha Mitchell - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 7:22 am:
Despite what Wyndycty says, most people I know ARE concerned with character, along with programs. Each of the programs is a good idea in itself, but if it can’t get funding past the initial inauguration of the plan, then it becomes a frustrating mess. The press needs to talk to the rank and file state employees, not their supervisors who parrot the standard line. They will tell you if there is money there or not or if the program is working or not. And I predict that they will bear the brunt of the need to find future revenues, despite the statement that the budget will not be balanced on their backs. Wel’ll see.
- Squideshi - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 7:23 am:
50% may be a plurality, but it’s not a majority. The fact is that most people actually voted against Blagojevich. Our election system is flawed.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 7:40 am:
There is no doubt Blago tried to stack the deck and influence the vote for Rosemont. His good friend and political cash cow Tony Rezko bought property across the street from the casino site in hopes of building a hotel. They thought it would just slip through and nobody would notice.
Then when the uproar happened with the public and if I call right Lisa Madigan, Blago had to pretend to be outraged. The start of many many lies. He knew he was in trouble so he went as far as to hire Mitka for $1,000,000.00 to cover his butt. Rezko took a hugh loss. Probably the beginning of the end for Tony’s finances.
- State Worker B - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 7:43 am:
Rich, When I went to the article you linked to from The Guardian, it did not contain that last paragraph you referred to. Think it was removed?
- chinman - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 8:03 am:
i also did not find the final Paragragh
- Ahem - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 8:53 am:
Google news
http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/news/state/15967770.htm
- Need we repeat ourselves? - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 9:49 am:
We need a single-transferable-vote system for state elections. Otherwise, this will happen again…and again…and again.
- Max Maxwell - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 10:53 am:
The genius of Blago’s campaign strategy is that no matter how sleazy people felt he was, or how concerned they were about his lack of ethics, the millions of dollars spent to drive up Topinka’s negatives meant that Blago would still get enough votes to win. Topinka was the only Republican statewide office holder, elected three times, and she became (via Blago’s negative ads) some sort of evil mastermind responsible for everything wrong with the State of Illinois. Congrats to Blago’s campaign people for effective use of their funds. To get a man with a 57 percent negative job approval rating re-elected is truly an accomplishment. If only Blago’s governing team was as effective as his campaign team.
- WARDOG - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 11:40 am:
Some how we must take what the voters of Illinois gave us and try to make the best of it. Being a former state worker and veteran, I was turned down for promotions to administrative jobs for reasons of “not enough experience or training” and then watched as “interns and trainees” got those jobs. The feds haven’t been in contact yet, but they know I’m here. More letters of understanding from Rod will be plentiful. God Bless America and the state Of Illinois.
- Tessa - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 12:14 pm:
I’m truly scared for the department I work in. More scared for the part of it I work in, because the people I work for and vow to care for are going to be screwed. They aren’t going to have anywhere to live when Blago is done with DHS. I can find another job, not that I want to. These people don’t have enough people truly looking out for there best interests. It’s so sad.
- Little Egypt - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 12:18 pm:
Blago was re-elected by Chicago and Cook County. He would not have won the election if only votes south of I-80 were counted. Unfortunately in Illinois we have to take the bad with the good and that means that we must put up with Chicago (the bad in case you can’t figure that out). Chicago and Cook County are so inbedded with corruption, the voters are accustomed to voting for the politician whom they feel will take care of their neighborhood and not necessarily the most honest person. I really wish we could have two states, North Illinois and South Illinois. If it works for the Dakotas and the Carolinas, why couldn’t it work here?
You all really need to go to the story of the lawsuit against Lon Monk and Bill Cellini. I would bet there is much in this lawsuit that will be in the Federal indictment of these men and the plaintiff in this case is giving all of us a giant preview of what is to come. If this lawsuit goes absolutely nowhere, it is at least a telling history of the Cellini Combine. I would hope that Cellini would be so off limits to politicians after this that he may have to rest of his laurels and be content to live off his interest and dividend payments.
- Anon. - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 12:19 pm:
State Worker A - 6:44
IDOT leases the Traffic Safety Building from Cellini. The lease expires in June 07. My thoughts are that any ties to Cellini will be severed, Traffic Safety will be reorged to the IDOT Central Office and several employees will lose their jobs.
Even more disturbing, yesterday the deputy director of Traffic Safety had a sign on her office door that read “Democrats Rule.” Party favors sounding off in the morning could be heard by many. What is even more disturbing is the director allowed this childish display. Like Secretary Phelps said…if Blagojevich wins the election there will be a mass exodus of republican state workers.
- Little Egypt - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 12:42 pm:
BTW, little little egypt #1 began his travels back to Baghdad this morning. Many of you have been so very kind in expressing concern and gratitude to him, and Mr. and Mrs. sincerely appreciate those thoughts. See Rich, we can be pretty civil here when the need arises.
- Angie - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 1:55 pm:
[Chicago and Cook County are so inbedded with corruption, the voters are accustomed to voting for the politician whom they feel will take care of their neighborhood and not necessarily the most honest person. I really wish we could have two states, North Illinois and South Illinois.]
We do. It just isn’t “official.”
Again, for everyone who is gravely disappointed, I reiterate from another thread. If you’re in the ‘burbs, do most of your shopping and stuff there. You didn’t win at the polls, but you can always stick it to ‘em by watching where you take your wallets and purses.
Choose wisely WHERE you spend your time spending your money.
Some of the local community colleges in GOP-vote territory have programs that grant full tuition waivers to their top students, thus creating a wonderful opportunity for residents to get lower-division courses knocked off for absolutely FREE. That cushy stuff happens when the tax base is relatively affluent, so keep that money in the ‘burbs to support those who actually voted for what they perceived to be the opposite of Rod (meaning they weren’t under massive investigations).
Support (economically) the areas where the support went to your candidate of choice. It is the least you can do.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 3:18 pm:
This pseudo secession talk is really stupid and childish. People, it’s Thursday, get over yourselves.
- Angie - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 3:26 pm:
I hear the parking situation is also better in the ‘burbs!
Rich is gonna kill me, but so be it.;-P
- sate worker b - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 6:07 pm:
State worker A what is upsetting at IDOT you are not upset that in the past few months a Director was allowed to take his wife on a state paid for trip she also works for the agency but has nothing to do with his div(looks like a free vacation to me), he also gave a $65,000 job to a 24 yr old daughter of a friend and recently transferred a union officials wife to a job in his div when all other jobs at the div were listed for internal application only. come on whats wrong with this?
- Cassandra - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 7:02 pm:
It seems to me that if there are obvious violations of Rutan in state hiring, those who want to do something about it should send the pertinent information to Patrick Fitzgerald’s office and/or the Executive Inspector General’s Office. And if there was a Democratic victory party going on in a state office after the election, that information should also be reported to the OIG. Take a picture of the Democrats Rule sign and e-mail it to a local newspaper It’s not that difficult to stop some of this behavior. And fears of retaliation are generally overstated. Blago’s staff aren’t that stupid.
As to a massive exodus of Republican state employees, I doubt that scares anyone except perhaps the employees. State government is overstaffed. There are many demands on state financial resources and it may not be possible to sustain a huge state bureacracy in conjunction with universal health care, universal preschool, and other government programs which benefit all the citizens of Illinois. The health care and education needs of Illinois citizens should take precedence over sustaining a plump state bureaucracy.
- state worker A - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 7:10 pm:
State Worker B – I think I know who you are referring to: are his initials MS (Director of Traffic Safety)? His wife is VS (Bureau Chief of ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES). I believe he has several kids also on the payroll (imagine that). It is truly unbelievable all the crap that is going on. One of the political hacks refuses to write any memos and when he goes out to a job site to investigate high incident locations, he has to have someone else go with him. His supervisor was told (by a higher political hack) to write all his memos, case closed. Our DE is totally useless (afraid of losing their job) and will not back long-time employees. Our administration manager (another political hack) keeps part-time hours and has hired his mistress, his wife’s girlfriend (and I don’t mean ‘just a friend’ girlfriend), his friends kids (brothers and sisters) and his employees from his other business.
We are so screwed.
- fed up dem - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 8:00 pm:
Cassandra, reporting to the executive inspector general who reports directly to blago? sounds like suicide to me. i’m sure the reporting party would be set up for something and be labled another bad apple in an effort to discredit. also i am a 60 year old life long democrat and have lived in chicago for the last 37 years. after the primary i was embarrassed to be a dem and am now embarrassed to be a citizenn of this state. i will move back to the hoosier state just as soon as i can afford to retire. now all upstate dems are idiots.
- fed up dem - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 8:03 pm:
That should have been not all upstate dems are idiots.
- Tessa - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 8:29 pm:
Cassandra, you truly don’t understand what it’s like to work in the state system, so please stop telling us what to do, and that it’s so easy to just do this or that and everything will be better. OEIG reports to the Gov.. We aren’t safe. The people who are in charge at a local level frequently won’t put things in writing so that they can’t be held accountable for things. They won’t respond to e-mails to answer questions or put memos out to explain themselves. They have they minions do the work and take the heat when something happens. There is nowhere to turn for help.
Lots of what is going on is hard to cover under the state contract. They use “management rights” as the catch phrase to walk over whoever they please. Staff are scared to stand up for themselves or to have the union stand up for them. Retaliation could mean their job, their means of supporting their family on a single income. This is what we are up against with Blago as Gov. and now that he’s won re-election, he’ll be gunning for us more than ever. No one, nowhere in state service, unless they are one of his lackeys, is safe. I’m scared for those who work for the state and for those who receive state services. This is no joke.
And I thought it was bad under a republican.
- Bottom Line - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 9:01 pm:
Cassandra,
If you for one minute think that lay-offs mean less employees, you are sadly mistaken. When IDOT laid off an entire traffic safety section June 30, 2004, the very next day a new department was announced (external affairs) which was full of political hacks-absolutely no traffic safety experience, about 6 months ago they did away with external affairs and moved all those people back to traffic safety. The whole lay-off was a way to get rid of republicans, plain and simple and before anyone starts crying “live by the sword, die by the sword, all of the positions were low-level union and non-exempt positions.
- Ignatius J. Reily - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 9:57 pm:
Here is something to think about…
The Machine fended off 2 serious assaults on a major property..Cook County… 1 in the primary and the other in the general.
Top priority now is the replacement of that really dangerous US Attorney. With majorities in both houses and the presidency on the near horizon..DA BOYS are totally focused on:
GET FITZ BEFORE HE GETS US… BUT GOOD
- Really Disgusted - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 10:04 pm:
Cassandra: You listed a lot of programs and initiatives that have been proposed by the governor and said there isn’t enough money to have a lot of state workers because the money is needed for these new programs. Who do you think will be doing the work of establishing and running these programs? I guarantee you it won’t be any of the governor’s people, because the money won’t be good enough for them. Someone has to keep the wheels running and it’s not the governor or the people he sends in as supervisors and hacks. It will be the same people who are doing those things now, the same sorry people who were told that he wouldn’t balance the budget on their backs. What a liar and hypocrite.
- Mom - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 11:34 pm:
I talked to an intelligent woman yesterday. She said she really like Judy Tobinka in the beginning but then after all the TV ads she thought she was crooked. I think that’s a shame. First of all I can’t belive an intelligent person would just look at the ads, and not go further to find out about ther person. I wonder how many people went that route. I love politics. It is so interesting . Why can’t people find out things on their own?
How can teacher’s unions and other unions endorse someone that doesn’t make the pension payments? You can bet your life that no one is shorting the politicians pensions. I think this election is a disgrace.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 11:40 pm:
The state can expand its programs and cut back employees, by farming out a lot of the work to the private sector. Sounds Republican, doesn’t it? But Rod is a Dem who borrows Reaganesque ideas when they suit his purpose, not that there’s anything wrong with that.
BTW, the private sector is known to make donations to candidates and parties, while the average state employee doesn’t unless they are shaken down by their bosses. Another reason to continue the privatization trend.
- state worker b - Thursday, Nov 9, 06 @ 11:49 pm:
State Worker A if this was a game show you won the big prize. The arrogance of this individual we all know who he is, is out of control. Hopefully his hour galss is getting close to empty if anyone else had done the crap he has they would have been gone months ago. Lets keep our fingers crossed at this point it can only get better?
- Tom - Friday, Nov 10, 06 @ 12:18 am:
Anyone up for starting an Anti-Corruption party? It’s an enormous tent. Republican/Democrat/Green, left/center/right are all welcome.
- chinman - Friday, Nov 10, 06 @ 7:05 am:
to state worker b,
it can get alot worse.
- Tessa - Friday, Nov 10, 06 @ 7:19 am:
Chinman, if what Rich says this morning is true, that Blago plans to run a third time, then things are going to get much, much worse for every one of us. Services and needs of people don’t matter.
- state worker b - Friday, Nov 10, 06 @ 10:15 am:
Got a Chinman lets keep our fingers crossed
- Guy Fawkes - Friday, Nov 10, 06 @ 1:22 pm:
William Cellini put the “FIX” in for I.D.O.T. Secretary - Timothy Martin and Illlinois Tollway Chief Engineer - Jeff Dailey.
Two of the most ignorant and stupid individals to ever grace Illinois State government!
- Bottom Line - Friday, Nov 10, 06 @ 4:06 pm:
I just talked to a couple of IDOT people and the Deputy Director of Traffic Safety did have a big sign up on her state office door that said “Democrats Rule” somebody should turn Sandy the dem chairwoman of Menard county in to the feds, her salary is federally funded!