The blog will be all but shut down next week, so let’s begin our look back at 2005 today.
What do you think was the most important Illinois political story of the year?
- posted by Rich Miller
- 6 Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 1:01 am:
So many to choose from.
I guess the GRyan trial is high up there. Grorge is now in the same league as Kerner and Walker, two former governors who were indicted and tried for high crimes and misdemeanors not directly related to their tenure as Gov.
The Hired Truck scandal and other patronage scandals have the city insiders quivering in their Guccis for the next shoe to drop, and hoping it doesn’t hit them in the head.
My candidate for most important non-story is the budget actually being approved on time, and legislature adjourning, in 2005.
- cooldaddy - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 2:16 am:
What could be bigger than Obama? All of the other stuff is mere pap in comparison. He is MR FUTURE for Illinois, for the USA. He is clean but not mean. Cool but not fool. While so many of the IL politicians hide in the 19th century he is in the 21st! The time is now!
- Aunt Glabby - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 5:40 am:
The “unreformer” Blagojevich being named as “Official A” in a Federal indictment.
Here we go again, George Ryan all over again.
And the Illinois voter proves he is a sucker once again!
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 6:29 am:
“Administration officials said they would follow veterans preference rules in filling an open Illinois Department of Employment Security community relations post in Cook County.”
Gamesmanship with personnel rules is what got BB elected and gamesmanship with personnel rules will bring him down. Patronage will be the downfall of Blah-Blah’s low and weak administration. In bypassing established law with his IDES non-veteran employment farce, POA has the Illinois taxpayers, specifically veterans, really upset. Mr. Ethics and his lackey Quinn are going to have one hell of a hard time explaining why they are sticking it to us veterans.
As usual, a different set of rules in Chicagoland and another job taken from a non-Cook/collar county chairman. How long are those downstaters going to put up with that crap?
- The Broken Heart - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 7:01 am:
Trying to ban foie gras.
- Tessa - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 7:08 am:
So many to choose from. Most recent - Blago gets opposition in the primary.
The Ryan trial. Blago is under investigation by the federal government. The Repbulican party in Illinois.
I look forward to seeing what everyone else has to say.
It’s been a great year here folks. Thanks for the inspiration and insight.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 7:21 am:
The complete failure to govern and total disrespect for workers in the trenches of state government by the governor and his arrogant crew. They were handed a golden opportunity to do it right and they blew it through pure hubris and cockiness. The house of cards is about to collapse.
- Shallow Throat - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 7:33 am:
Blag admin only: Seen as good: Done just in time to gain votes- Kid Care; Unionized child care workers; 4% increases for MC employees (How are they/we going to pay for this?) Bad: Mell airing dirty laundry; CMS’ audit & responses; OEIG head Z. Scott leaving; Federal investigations of agencies under the guv; opponent in the primary, requesting state workers push guv’s political agenda, etc.
- AngryJolietan - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 7:51 am:
Conservative GOPers Rauschenberger and Birkett running for Lite Guv with moderate candidates.
The unholy alliance of GOPer Jerry Weller and Will County Dems putting the kabosh on JJJ’s plan to control the proposed Peotone airport
- Cap fax fan - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 8:00 am:
I think the biggest political story was the creation of this blog…been a great first year, and next year will be even better. Keep up the good work, Rich.
- Reddbyrd - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 8:01 am:
While I am sure the day will bring countless nominations for a few of the GRod’s minor missteps,the biggest story is the continued downward spiral of the GOP (as in MOPE) in Illinois. Just when everyone thought the 2004 Keyes debacle was the bottom of the tank, we see the best the party can do is a bunch of 2nd stringers for governor. The legislative session saw the GOPers sit in their corner and pout while a 2 year budget deal gets passed. The summer long Edgar Waltz with BlinkyJim was embarrassing. In the end BlinkyJim goes back to cashing UofI checks and helping Mrs. KJ manage the new horse barn. And the year concludes with the hodge podge tickets of RonnieG/Whinenburger& AccordianGal/BrickheadJoe It almost makes picking Keyes look good.
But wait it ain’t over! Just as the Ryan trial prepares to break for the holidays, the morning news tells us Mike “The AntiChrist” Tristano warms up the holidays with a plan to flip.
Ah yes “GOP GONE GOOFY 2005″ is clearly the best political story of the year.
Merry Christmas CaptFax and Friends
- Reddbyrd - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 8:23 am:
Wait! Wait! We forgot to mention that after years of whining about how GRod ignores downstate…doesn’t live in the mansion…blah, blah, blah; the GOP (yes, as in MOPE) goes out finds someone from the politically powerful Umholtz family to give that all suburban ticket a little downstate flavor. You would think they were running for Mayor of Herald City rather than the State of Illinois.
- Anon - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 8:24 am:
The fact that Paul Caprio was right
- Anon - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 8:46 am:
What about this big CMS IT consolidation. With all of the great planning done (NOT), Getting rid of all the state contractors and having no one to fill the positions. Some of these if not the majoroty very vital for the State to provide the services to the public. I am very suprised more has not come out of this and there have not been more investigating.
- Pat Hickey - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 8:57 am:
The E-2 Nightclub fire trial will spark greater scrutiny going into 2006 and beyond.
- Cap fax fan - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 9:27 am:
Reddbyrd…be serious, after the Keyes disaster, the GOP could only move up…so let’s talk about that diverse ticket the democrats have running…thought so.
- scoot - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 9:38 am:
The top story for me was former Gov Jim Edgar not running for his old job.
- Cassandra - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 9:51 am:
The pension grab and the federal probe of DCFS.
Both demonstrate the extreme cynicism and opportunism of the Blagojevich administration.
Illinois taxpayers will shortly be forced to incur huge tax increases to bail out the state employee pension fund. Politics and money are inseparable in Illinois and this money grab will have to be paid for by the Illinois middle class, especially those in their prime working years.
The DCFS scandal, a relatively small scandal as scandals go, nevertheless demonstrates the breadth of corruption in the Blagojevich administration. DCFS in recent decades was pretty much free of political interference, a state of affairs that ended when Blagojevich came on board and his administration began plundering child welfare monies and DCFS jobs for political gain. Now, the Blago-appointed agency director is virtually paralyzed, high level personnel and other department executives are under federal and state investigation for various types of wrongdoing, and one Blago friend and high level DCFS appointee resigned ahead of the federal investigation of his alleged theft of child welfare monies. Again, not a huge amount of money, not a big agency,but a stunning example of the Blago administration’s cynical support of patronage, cronyism, and theft of taxpayer dollars to further political goals.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 10:05 am:
Madigan and Emil Jones heading the Blago re-election campaign.
- WAY DOWNSTATE - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 10:49 am:
The democraric primary.Three months ago all the Blagomaniacs were ready to swear him back in.Now instead of swearing they are sweating.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 11:15 am:
To most people, 2005 is the year:
1. Of the White Sox World Series win. 2. The George Ryan trial. 3. The Hired Truck scandals rocking Daley. 4. Blagojevich named as “Public Official A”. 5. IL Sen. Dick Durbin’s Bush Hatred evolves into US Hatred. He decides losing in Iraq OK if it makes Bush look bad in 2006.
- Lt. Guv - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 11:52 am:
Tristano, “The Anti-Christ” flipping.
- The Blues - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 12:33 pm:
Given that this is Illinois we’re talking about, and given that there’s still a week-and-a-half left in 2005, I think the political story of the year could still come.
- Billyclinton - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 12:35 pm:
Hidden among the many jewels of stories from 2005 is the story of State Rep. Mike Boland. Never has a state legislator spent so much time (6 years), traveled to so many counties (90), held so many press conferences (209 at last count), dropped his name for statewide office so many times (79 at last count) — and then not run!! This guy is simply amazing. He is the story of 2005. He gets to sit back and watch Paul Mangieri get slated for State Treasurer, right before his eyes. The headline of this guy is “Missed Opportunity.” Simply amazing. IF anyone figures this guy out, please let me know at your earliest convenience.
- ONE_M.C.M.A.D - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 1:00 pm:
Cooldaddy,
I think you may want to retract your comments when you really find out about Mr. Barack Obama and his true ethics.
I know that on the surface he has appeared to be upright and ethical. He even walked through the door with a bible in his hand. Yet, when the true test of uprightness and ethics come to reality, Obama has failed the test and I am here to talk about it and I am going to talk about it.
IF YOU’RE GOING TO TALK THE TALK, WALK THE WALK, NOT ONLY WHEN IT’S CONVIENT FOR YOU, BUT IN ALL THINGS
- ROD BLAGOJEVICH - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 1:04 pm:
When me and my father in law fueded before the entire state of Illinois and my father in law “blew the whistle” on my pay to play activities which got the FEDS on my back and uncle Fitz at my back door.
This would have to be the most important Illinois political story of the year cause it’s going to also pertrude into the new year!
- Howie - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 1:13 pm:
The Jim Edgar deciding not to run was NOT a story. It happens every cycle. He just does this for the attention.
The biggest political story is probably the fall of Daley.
- cermak_rd - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 1:25 pm:
The continuing evolution of IL into a bluer shade of purple. The GOP are not only disorganized–they’re a political party in a constant state of civil war. And that civil war is all about existential questions–not about whether there should be a primary opponent in a CD–but about what the party stands for and what values it espouses.
- Common Sense in Illinois - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 1:32 pm:
Let’s try another tack. It’s really been a mixed year. The General Assembly adjounred timely confounding those who believed the spring session could have again resulted in deadlock and lasted all summer; the pension funding swap that provides sufficient funds for increased spending both in SFY 06 and 07, and that Democrats were successful in doing this while making Republicans an insignificant entity in Springfield; Passage of All Kids in breathless fashion without so much of a burp of how much it would cost, where the money would come from or any other such details; The rejection of Marty Cohen…particularly the facts that Cohen wouldn’t read the tea leaves and withdraw, or that the Governor’s staff (and the Governor himself for that matter) cut the guy loose in the final days; Rep. Patricia Bailey for not living within the boundary of her district; The Edgar/Topinka waltz;
I’m running out of time, and there’s sooooo much more. What a great year!!!
- Common Sense in Illinois - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 1:36 pm:
Ooops, sorry, I just re-read the post…what is the most significant story for the year? I think it has to be the successes of US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and his no-nonsense approach to digging out corruption. Multiple chapters here and many more to come. Wake up everyone!
- Danny boy Profit - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 1:36 pm:
Biggest political news story in Illinois is the utter self destruction of Rauschenbergers political carreer. Lets face it he got a lot of bad advice from his consultants. I wonder who they were?
- ONE_M.C.M.A.D - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 1:49 pm:
Again,
Although I agree that U.S Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has and is doing a good job of investigating and prosecuting corruption in Illinois, he too is not as ethical as the appearance.
It is not until a true test comes to the table when you’ll really get a chance to see the sincerity to gov’t officials. They pick and chose what they want to involve themselves in even if thousands of tax paying citizens are involved.
I have documented where the gov’t federal and state have turned their head to blatant corruption, not because it’s not true, but because of the informant and the overwhelming amount of information that divulged and the overwhelming amount of state officials and employees whom have documentedly engaged in gross misconduct.
So, that being said, my high level of regards for both U.S Senator Barack Obama and U.S Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald are no longer glowing in accommodations. They are allowing others to suffer behind their failure and refusal to “do the right things”.
For those who are interested in the specifics, stay tuned in the coming days when all of this will be exposed and the gov’t will be held accountable for turning a deaf ear to corruption.
- ONE_MANCANMAKEADIFFERENCE - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 1:50 pm:
- Beowulf - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 1:52 pm:
The most important political story? Whichever one it was it certainly involves Patrick Fitzgerald and his team of Untouchables. George Ryan holds the most interest for the public I think. His conviction along with that of his unethical cronies sends a hard message out to others that there is a new sheriff (Patrick Fitzgerald)that has ridden into town. This new sheriff does not look the other way nor can he be bought off. Mayor Daley and the enormity of his Chicago corruption is also a spellbinder to the public. Poor Mayor Daley comes off looking as either a crook or as some Simpleton that couldn’t manage a hot dog stand much less the city of Chicago. It just shows that name recognition or “star power” means much more in Illinois politics than ability. Look for Lee Daniels to be in the news in 2006.
- firstamendment2005 - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 1:52 pm:
- A gambler - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 1:52 pm:
The loss of revenue from the 10th gaming license and the politics involved in not allowing Rosemont to be picked as the “site”. Where is the real “crime” in that.
- Beowulf - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 1:55 pm:
The most important political story? Whichever one it was it certainly involves Patrick Fitzgerald and his team of Untouchables. George Ryan holds the most interest for the public I think. His conviction along with that of his unethical cronies sends a hard message out to others that there is a new sheriff (Patrick Fitzgerald)that has ridden into town. This new sheriff does not look the other way nor can he be bought off. Mayor Daley and the enormity of his Chicago corruption is also a spellbinder to the public. Poor Mayor Daley comes off looking as either a crook or as some simple Simon that couldn’t manage a hot dog stand much less the city of Chicago. It just shows that name recognition or “star power” means much more in Illinois politics than ability. Look for Lee Daniels to be in the news in 2006.
- Mohammad Wong - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 2:18 pm:
Howie, Daley has hardly fallen.
A couple of days of high entertainment in the Ryan trial when Scott Fawell was in glib mode (and later when he showed us how to cry) certainly made for good reading.
Edgar dancing the “love me” dance and then walking away is about as much “story of the year” as “Sun rises in East - sets in West.”
How about the upsets in the 2005 municipals?
- Mohammad Wong - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 2:22 pm:
Speaking of “if you’re gonna talk the talk, walk the walk,” OneMCMAD, if you’re gonna accuse Obama of ethical lapses, better give some shred of evidence.
- Xolotl - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 2:29 pm:
Mohammad Wong - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 2:22 pm: AMEN!
- Lex - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 2:42 pm:
I would say the biggest story of 05 would have to be Gov. Jim Edgar closing the door on running for Governor again in 06 but leaving the door wide open for a run at the Senate in 08.
- Disaffected_employee - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 2:43 pm:
firstamendment2005 and/or onemancanmakeadifference, your posts are intriguing. I’m curious if you’re talking about the Feds ignoring corruption in one particular office, or are you speaking in general terms? Nothing else would please me more as a taxpayer than to expose the corrupt political hacks in state government. Bring it on!!
- Law Dog - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 3:20 pm:
What will be the biggest political story of 2006? I say the acquittal of George Ryan.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 3:21 pm:
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
- Bubs - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 3:50 pm:
The biggest political story of 2005 is “FEDS TAKE ON DALEY MACHINE,” a heavyweight title fight that is nowhere near over and will affect Chicago and, by extension, Illinois politics for a decade, if not longer.
- Mohammad Wong - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 4:08 pm:
Lex, Lex, Lex…I think it has become a generally accepted fact that Jim Edgar’s tearful goodbye at the CAC was the flatline in his elected political career.
Bubs, I have to disagree. If and until someone big falls in that fight, it isn’t the biggest story. Not when a former Governor is already on trial - and unlike the Truck story - this isn’t trading in contracts and hiring irregularities — this one has wads of cash, prostitutes and a vainglorious former bigwig earning rebuke on the stand.
- Law Dog - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 4:12 pm:
A crime is a crime is it not Wong? Or are crimes only more serious when a Republican is involved? Hmmmmm
- Mohammad Wong - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 4:43 pm:
Come on…how many Republicans are laying claim to George Ryan these days? A crime is indeed a crime. But a trial of a governor is bigger news than trials of political cogs.
Or, let me phrase it this way. If I ask Joe and Jane Sixpack of Anywhere, IL, which is more interesting or important; the indictment of a guy who sounds like Victor Reyes, the trial of Robert Sorich or the trial of George H. Ryan - wouldn’t you suspect the answer would include the question “Who the heck are Victor Reyes and Robert Sorich?”
- Reddbyrd - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 4:44 pm:
As the workforce heads for the holiday bucket nites, it looks like I was right on: GOP GOOFINESS 2005 WINS
- Law Dog - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 8:17 pm:
Wong…Joe Six pack didn’t know the difference between Jim or George Ryan..so ask away, you’ll be surprised.
And…I don’t think the GOP is the political story of the year…the only way they could be, is if they did something that didn’t drive off voters and make themselves look foolish.
- Graydog - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 8:21 pm:
Blue-collar Chicago banning smoking in bars. BARS for pete’s sake! Come on! What is this world coming to? Next, the libs will make it illegal for me to smoke in my own car or my own home.
- DuPage progressive - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 9:01 pm:
The biggest story of 2005 - hands down the new era of politics with Fitzgerald putting a stop to Illinois’ political machines. When I moved here, I could NOT believe the “way things are done” in Illinois. Friends in other states shook their heads in disbelief. It’s seriously messed up the way things work here and the way that power is centralized with just a few folks (mostly ONE area in chicago).
So, I say go get ‘em Patrick — you sexy man!
The most hilarious story — and the story that MUST be written into a screenplay is the G-rod/ papa-in-law story. This is truly shakespearean. The BEST part is the testicular virility line. I mean come on, you cannot write this stuff.
Who did we decide would play G-rod in a movie?? That’s the best (and most dramatic) story from the past year or so. (If this happened in late 2004, my bad.)
- goodbye napoleon - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 11:20 pm:
Great question Rich - I’d like to see your list . . .
Top political stories of 2005 according to me: #1 - Passage of the med/mal reform law #2 - The Blago and Dick Mell feud #3 - Chicago smoking ban compromise #4 - Blago being named in the plea bargain #5 - The Speaker “endorses” the Governor for re-election. #6 - Henry Hyde’s retirement #7 - George Ryan calling Phil Gramm a whore or was it the other way around? #8 - Representative Kevin Joyce is hired to handle parking lot security guard at the Tweeter Center #9 - Todd Vandermyde was hailed as the state’s lobbyist extraordinnaire by the Tribune - that’s truly a story to anyone who’s actuall met the guy #10 - Congressman Luis Gutierrez announces he may run against the Mayor
- LAC - Wednesday, Dec 21, 05 @ 7:49 am:
I kinda think it was the Blagojevich bodyguard fiasco and his blatent disregard that started all his negative press. Also the ridiculous public tirade with Mell and definitely the “testicular virility” Washergate was a great one too.
- Aunt Glabby - Wednesday, Dec 21, 05 @ 8:41 pm:
Of the 2,163 Senate bills introduced, approx. 300 were sent to Blago.
Sen. Rauschenberger answered the roll calls on these as “NOT VOTING” 198 times. (approx. 66%)
Of the 4,206 House bills introduced, 436 were sent to Blago. Sen Rauschenberger answered as “NOT VOTING” on 187 fo these roll calls. (43%)
When you don’t do your job as a Senator, how can you run for higher office?
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