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Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Subscribers know that I’m shutting everything down for a few days to attend a family funeral. Someone passing in a no-passing zone slammed head-on into my niece’s car. My niece is out of the hospital, but her husband and two-year-old daughter were both killed…

Please keep my niece in your thoughts.

* While I’m gone, you can head to Illinoize…

I’ll crank the blog back up on either Tuesday or Wednesday. Not sure yet.

No video. I’m too depressed.

*** UPDATE *** Thanks for all the kind e-mails, text messages, faxes and phone calls about my family’s tragedy. The funeral ordeal was one of the saddest experiences of my life. But your lovely sentiments helped lift my spirits, so many thanks.

*** UPDATE 2 *** We’re all gonna miss her…

On behalf of her family and friends, I am saddened to report that former State Senator Adeline J. Geo-Karis passed away Sunday evening, February 10, 2008, of natural causes, at Glenbrook Hospital.

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced shortly.

For further information, please contact:

Louis G. Atsaves
atsaves@aol.com
847-401-1674

You can read more here.

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This just in…

Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* 12:55 pm - Bad news, budgeteers. The state’s investment income is gonna be way down…

Like investors everywhere, Illinois is watching its investment income shrink along with the swooning financial markets.

State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias warned lawmakers today the stock market decline will “trigger a significant reduction in interest income” in the current fiscal year.

Giannoulias said the state probably will collect $38 million to $50 million less in investment income during the 2008 fiscal year, which ends June 30.

Things will get worse next year, when the treasurer expects the state to collect $243 million, at best, from investments. In the last full budget year, Giannoulias’ office made $426 million in investment income. The treasurer’s office invests surplus state funds.

* 1:12 pm - Big money…

Democrat Barack Obama raised $7.2 million in less than 48 hours post Super Tuesday and rival Hillary Rodham Clinton collected $4 million, giving him a financial edge that’s caused consternation within a Clinton campaign clamoring for attention-getting debates.

It emerged yesterday that Clinton loaned her campaign $5 million last month, so it’s probably only a matter of time before some reporters question whether this little deal is somehow connected to that action.

* 1:14 pm - From a press release…

Governor Blagojevich today announced that more than 50,000 seniors across Illinois have pre-registered to receive free public transportation since he first launched the toll-free hotline and website two weeks ago.

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Question of the day

Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

What, in your opinion, was the most overlooked story of Tuesday’s Illinois primary? Explain.

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Daley blows top at six who refuse to play ball *** UPDATED X1 ***

Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* As expected the Chicago city council approved the real estate transfer tax yesterday with some minor adjustments…

Aldermen held their noses, swallowed hard and demanded that members of the military and disabled veterans get free rides, but ultimately voted to complete a Chicago Transit Authority bailout by hitting city property buyers with a 40 percent transfer tax increase.

Some senior citizens will catch a break, but the City Council’s approval by a 41-6 vote means that Chicago’s real-estate transfer tax will climb for most everyone from $7.50 per $1,000 of sale price to $10.50 beginning April 1. On a $300,000 home, the result would be a $900 increase.

People 65 and older who buy houses priced at $250,000 or less and attest that they will live in them for at least a year will get a refund of the transfer tax increase but will be required to apply to receive it.

* The vote was overwhelming, but Mayor Daley was angry at the half-dozen aldermen who voted against it…

The vote was 41-6 — and the six “no” votes had the mayor seething. They were cast by Aldermen Robert Fioretti (2nd), Sandi Jackson (7th), Sharon Denise Dixon (24th), Rey Colon (35th), Brian Doherty (41st) and Bernard Stone (50th).

“If Ald. Fioretti believes they don’t need the CTA in his ward, then stand up and say, ‘CTA, bypass my people.’ . . . You’ll last about a half a day. They’ll have to send . . . police and fire to protect you and your families,” Daley said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

* And…

Daley continued his diatribe, finally saying, “Those who want to run for higher political office, vote ‘No,’” a dig at some aldermanic opponents who are rumored to be seeking higher office.

* When you serve in a legislative body run by an absolute control freak, any dissension is deemed traitorous. And, while I hate to say it, Ald. Stone made a pretty good point…

Stone dismissed the senior exemption as a “showpiece” that “isn’t worth a damn,” noting that most seniors are sellers — not buyers.

The showpiece comment was on the money. There aren’t many houses in Stone’s ward selling for less than $250,000.

*** UPDATE *** WGN has posted Mayor Daley’s entire snarky rant on YouTube. It’s a must-see…

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On second thought…

Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This came in from the Illinois Republican Party yesterday. It’s the number of Republican primary ballots cast statewide since 1988…

Year GOP Ballots Cast
1988 899,153
1990 805,381
1992 878,438
1994 729,372
1996 868,030
1998 759,102
2000 781,318
2002 946,339
2004 702,658
2006 751,627
2008 883,647

Except for 2002 (when there was a super-hot Republican primary for governor), Tuesday was the biggest primary for the GOP since 1988. So, perhaps drawing too many conclusions from Tuesday’s huge Democratic turnout is premature.

* And this was forwarded to me by our blog friend JakeCP…

Chicago ‘04 GOP Primary vote 27,729
Chicago ‘08 GOP Primary votey 41,535

Those aren’t huge numbers, but it’s a lot of growth - almost 50 percent.

* Still, this meme will not die soon. From the AP…

It could be a long, long year for Illinois Republicans. Their U.S. Senate nominee is virtually unknown. They’re playing defense in at least four congressional districts. Illinois voters cast nearly 1.1 million more Democratic votes than Republican votes in Tuesday’s primary.

Things are definitely bad. No doubt about it. And - besides the primary turnout stuff - most other signs point to them heading for a lousy year. But the big Dem vote should be taken in some context, and so there you have it.

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Illegal immigrant issue brought up by Sauerberg

Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Sauerberg attacks Durbin right out of the gate…

Dr. Steve Sauerberg, who won Tuesday’s Illinois Republican primary for the U.S. Senate, said Wednesday that Sen. Dick Durbin is out of touch with his constituents. […]

Sauerberg, of Lombard, also said that Durbin, a Springfield Democrat, had his chance to end illegal immigration but instead made it worse.

I know a lot of people like to bloviate about illegal immigration on blogs and on talk radio, but this is from Tuesday’s Illinois GOP exit poll…

Which ONE of these four issues is the most important facing the country?

Category % Total

Illegal immigration 19

The war in Iraq 20

The economy 43

Terrorism 16 -

And…

Should most illegal immigrants working in the United States be:

Category % Total

Offered a chance to apply for citizenship 30

Allowed to stay as temporary workers 25

Deported to the country they came from 43

* So, when it doesn’t even seem to be a dominant issue for Republicans, can it be used in a general election here? Also, remember, there are a whole lot of Latino and other immigrant voters in this state. Tons, even. Irish, Polish, Lithuanian, etc. And many of them know or are related to illegal immigrants.

Please, make sure to read this: I’m really not interested in your own personal opinion of illegal immigration. Try to have a civil debate or your comments will be deleted and you could easily find yourself banned. This topic often brings out the crazy in some people, and I’d rather avoid that today. Thanks.

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Quote of the day

Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Um, is this what is known as talking out of both sides of your mouth?

[11th Congressional District Democratic candidate Debbie Halvorson] said Wednesday she wants to talk about issues and not be negative as she traverses a district that stretches from Chicago’s southern suburbs to Bloomington-Normal. Key among the issues is the economy.

“Everybody is frustrated with the Republicans,” Halvorson said.

* Runner up goes to Bernie Schoenburg, who, after noting that the Green Party ballot total was less than two-tenths of a percent in Sangamon county, wrote…

This does not bode well for a Green takeover of the state.

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Morning Shorts

Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - Posted by Kevin Fanning

* Alvarez revels in upset, more here

* Peraica comes out fighting vs. Alvarez

* Decoding Rezko: Breaking down his pending trial; the prosecution’s evidentiary proffer

* Stroger claims foes ‘smacked in the face‘ by election results

* Stroger’s new plan: Cut budget, hike tax; more here

* DOE official apologizes for mocking FutureGen site, Illinois

C.H. “Bud” Albright says he’s sorry for saying the federal government isn’t interested in “building Disneyland in some swamp in Illinois.”

* Illinois awards grant for sculpture to mark race riot

* Crowded ballots, economy spell disaster for proposals

Of the 14 Will County referendum requests on Tuesday’s ballot, 12 failed - some by margins of 40 percent or more.

* Wrap-up Wednesday

The surprise on Super Duper Tuesday in Illinois was at the state level, not the national level. Illinois still played a significant role February 5 by doling out more than 200 presidential delegates to the Democratic and Republican candidates, but the state got lost in the mix of 22 states that held primaries that day.

* Jim Oberweis already campaigning, though opponent in doubt; more here

* Democrat won’t concede yet in race for Hastert seat

* Congressman Mark Kirk’s father dies of pulmonary fibrosis

* Handley leaving state job to join cable TV group

* Blagojevich Announces State’s First Court Victory For Equal Pay

* Can Obama, like Harold, get Latino lift?

* Obama’s Rezkopportunity knocks

* Little-known ballot name Illinois son

Sen. John McCain may have won Illinois Tuesday, but Republican presidential candidate James C. Mitchell walked away from Super Tuesday with 456 votes.

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Still no final tally in House race

Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Will Burns’ win

Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - The Latino vote

Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax

Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

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