* We just found out that Gov. Blagojevich was in town today…
The Democratic governor attended a public event Wednesday morning without giving notice to reporters, and he quickly left without taking any questions.
In a brief speech at his annual prayer breakfast, Blagojevich did not address the new allegations.
* Listen to the speech...
“It’s not like you get a chance to go to governor’s school.”
*** UPDATE *** Bethany Jaeger has more.
* Meanwhile, Comptroller Dan Hynes gave a speech in Southern Illinois this morning, which included a few jabs at the governor…
Now we know what leadership isn’t. Leadership isn’t having a big title or flying around in an airplane. And it isn’t fighting. As Dwight Eisenhower once said: “You do not lead by hitting people over the head — that’s assault, not leadership.” […]
It’s shocking to think that we’re almost three-fourths of the way through the legislative session – because there’s been very little “getting down to business.” You see, to be committed, you first have to – for lack of a better term – show up. Be engaged. And that starts at the top. A few years ago, the Governor complained that the General Assembly was spending like a bunch of drunken sailors. But I think the real problem is a captain hiding in his quarters.
Think about it.
The economy is slowing. Our revenues are disappearing. The deficit is worsening. Our infrastructure is crumbling. Our backlogs are growing. And our hospitals are closing.
And, all the while, our Governor – he’s hiding.
Read the entire speech by clicking here.
*** UPDATE *** Pat Quinn wants Blagojevich to answer questions on Ata…
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn is demanding answers from Govenor Rod Blagojevich about allegations that came up in a federal corruption case. In a guilty plea yesterday, Ali Ata—the former head of the Illinois Finance Authority—said he got the job after contributing thousands of dollars to Blagojevich’s campaign.
Blagojevich quickly left a public event this morning without addressing Ata’s accusations. But Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn says that’s no way to handle the situation.
QUINN: To be running away and not fully engaging the people of Illinois, who are the voters, the taxpayers, the people who we are accountable to, I don’t think that’s the right way to go. I think Governor Blagojevich should speak to the public and answer questions about anything and everything.
And if the allegations about the governor are true?
QUINN: Well, if anyone committed wrongdoing, I think they should, uh, turn themselves in and suffer the consequences.