132 Comments - Gomer GOP - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 11:05 am: Can someone ask Kevin to ask Casino Cross which person he plans to be when we get down to the end? The choices are: GOP platform, or Restore GOP majority by giving Blaggo $34 billion blank check Thanks - 21st State - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 11:26 am: quick off-topic fyi if I may: Chicago City Council live debate on Children’s Museum - Ald. Reilly speaking now - find it through http://www.committeeonfinance.org/ - A Citizen - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 11:27 am: Guv has a brief window of opportunity to free himself, his family and Illinois of the pain and anguish of impeachment and/or criminal proceedings. Resignation just may be his last fleeting get out of jail free card. Resign now, guv, while you still have the “power” to do so! - Easy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 11:39 am: Gomer- Not a blank check dude. There are provisions in there to ensure the funds are delivered to the proper projects–that’s why the Senate GOP endorsed and voted for the program. - Wumpus - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 11:42 am: DOn’t impeach him for being a bad gov. Innocent until proven guilty! If he did something illegal, then talk censure….impeachment. - Captain America - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 11:55 am: I can’t believe that the House Republican leader is defending an unpopular, incompetent, and apparently corrupt Democratic Governor for any reason. Truth really is stranger than fiction, It’s hard to figure how the Republicans will be able to achieve significant political gains from Blaog’s downfall when their top leader is defending the Governor from the Democrats. - Gomer GOP - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 11:58 am: Easy: The state is full of unfulfilled MOUs….The Senate GOPs “forgot” to ask for line items, use of existing formula programs and some protection that released funds won’t be threatened when the next grand scheme comes along ( i.e. you get your park when I get my health care) Senate GOPs were duped — again. Or Senate GOPs expected the train wreck in the House so just went along for the ride. Any thoughts on which Frank is at today’s meeting? Let it Ride or Supporter of the GOP Platform? Thanks for explaining - Captain America - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:01 pm: Frankly I don’t consder the Children’s Museum vote to be very suspenseful since the outcome has been predetermined. It will be up to the Supreme Court to make the final decision. I’m not a lawyer, but I think it’s going to be hard for Daley to trump the covenants and the legal precedents upholding the restrictive covenants. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:01 pm: Captain America is right. Do these GOP leaders believe they can build a party by playing ball with Rod? After Ryan, they choose to tie themselves to this guy? Unbelievable. - Napoleon has left the building - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:01 pm: Rich In all this, I am so curious to know did you break this story (I think you did) and how? If yes, none of the TV, radio or newspaper outlets in Chicago have given you any credit. But seriously, did you get this by accident or did someone give this to you with the intent of causing this story to hurt Democratic candidates or the Speaker, etc. ? I do think this story looks bad for the Speaker and I am curious about where it came from. Don Wade is a moron. He just asked Steve Brown if they gave a copy of the memo to the Governor. LOL - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:04 pm: The AP broke the story. I was the first one to post the actual memo, which quickly popped up all over the place. - Team Sleep - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:06 pm: Tom Cross needs to grow a backbone. If he is our party’s gubernatorial pick in 2010, I will vote for a Democrat. - Mr. Wizard - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:07 pm: CA and Word- I read Cross’ statement as anti-Madigan, not pro-Blago. Just campaign rhetoric - they want Blago to be the #1 fall issue and the memo could allow Dem candidates to distance themselves from Blago now and defuse it for the fall. - Garp - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:09 pm: I am curious how this story could look bad for the speaker when the vast majority seem to be in favor of impeachment or recall. Who does the speaker look bad to? It certainly isn’t the voters. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:27 pm: Not only are the rumblings of impeachment growing louder every day, and now talk of a government shutdown, there’s also the looming AFSCME contract that’s never gone down to the wire before, posing the threat of a strike or walkout (and if a payless payday is imminent they will have nothing to lose by walking out)… This is going way beyond a trainwreck. It’s more like a nuclear meltdown with fallout that could last for years, maybe decades. - problem - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:28 pm: While other leaders work, Currie puts on a show. Just another day in Madiganland. - Easy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:28 pm: I think it looks bad for the speaker on a couple levels. 1. It’s not real. He’s not going to do it, just like he voted against recall. 2. He essentially tells his candidates to mislead the public and press about where they got the info and why they are supporting impeachment 3. Don’t mention lisa’s name??? the document impugns the credibility of all his candidates and hassert’s opponent is now in a world of hurt. This was a big-time gaffe. Finally, if he’s serious about impeachment–which I doubt since he is opposed to recall–then quit posturing, quit telling candidates what to say and how to say it and who not to mention–and call the bill. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:32 pm: There must be something missing here, besides common sense. Perhaps the reports are wrong? –The top Republican in the Illinois House is blasting a memo spelling out reasons to launch impeachment hearings against Governor Rod Blagojevich. House Minority Leader Tom Cross says the memo lays out “a scheme to lie” to the public. …rhe talking points suggest that candidates deny Madigan had anything to do with the impeachment discussion.Cross said Wednesday that Madigan shouldn’t question the governor’s trustworthiness but then suggest that candidates lie.– Cross called it a scheme to lie, not Madigan. So how could Cross claim that Madigan suggested that candidates lie? That is Cross’ word, not Madigan’s. Then - –Senate GOP Leader Watson said that his own candidates and incumbents “get a lot of questions” about impeachment and said sending out the same sort of memo might be something the Senate Republicans should think about doing.– So which GOP leader is correct? The one claiming that Madigan’s memo is a scheme to lie, or the one saying that the GOP needs a memo too? Good grief. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:35 pm: === Perhaps the reports are wrong?=== Listen to the audio. That’s where I got it from. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:36 pm: ===It’s not real. He’s not going to do it, just like he voted against recall.=== He was, as far as I recall, opposed to changing the Constitution for one guy. Impeachment, however, is a different story. - Napoleon has left the building - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:37 pm: JJ, Jr. was on fire on WLS! great audio - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:38 pm: As soon as these goofs on the city council finish debating a done deal, I’m gonna listen to that Jackson audio. - Easy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:41 pm: Vanilla Man– Read the memo. It instructs Democrat candidates to not answer questions on who prepared them for their press conference and to deny any involvement from the Speaker’s office. Hence…a scheme to lie. Seriously, read the memo, then post. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:48 pm: ===deny any involvement=== Actually, that’s a lie. - Goofing off at work in IL - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:49 pm: Anybody consider maybe Madigan is firing a shot across the bow and letting Blago know that if he calls everyone back for special session that impeachment, not the budget or capital bill, will be the soup du jour in the House? - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:50 pm: You sure you’re not in Florda? just kidding. - Taking lunch break in IL - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:53 pm: All this “scheme to lie” stuff has me spooked. I’m walking the straight and narrow… - Timmy OToole - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 12:57 pm: Currie leaving is obviously another publicity stunt by Madigan. Why can all three leaders go EXCEPT Madigan? She says its time the governor got serious? The Speaker hasnt attended one meeting and sabatoged a capital bill that would have created thousands of job! Who is the one that isnt serious??? - Garp - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:01 pm: It would be truly ironic if Madigan is able to engineer house dems being elected by leading the charge to oust a dem governor over the objections of repub leadership. As a wise old party leader once told me, the Illinois repubs never fail to screw it up. - K to the 3 - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:02 pm: This whole move with the memo makes me real nervous for one reason: it seems like an ill-conceived move for someone who is tremendously calculated. That makes me wonder even more what his true motivation was for leaking the memo. - Wendell K Davis - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:02 pm: Heck that Mike Madigan is in the same boat as Blago for me. The thing about Madigan that really ticks me is that he lies and manipulates and blames Blago for doing the same thing. - Napoleon has left the building - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:02 pm: Timmy - the capital bill won’t pass because the Senate tied all the provisions together. Chicago doesn’t like the casino and there aren’t enough votes to pass the lottery lease since June 1. I’m not sure what good it does to talk about capital now, it’s dead until January or until there is a new governor. I wonder which will come first. - Alexi 10 - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:04 pm: Can we do a quick poll of “Who do you trust more?” A. Rod B. Mike I vote for A just because B is such a snake - Levois - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:04 pm: Man this debate is going on and on and Ald. Burnett is so silly. He had that place cutting up. Almost like he can’t help but be a clown. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:05 pm: Enough with the drive-by comments, please. Engage or move along. Thanks. - Easy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:07 pm: I think “lie” was a little harsh. What should we call it when they are told not to truthfully answer a question? - Bill Baar - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:07 pm: Cross said Wednesday that Madigan shouldn’t question the governor’s trustworthiness but then suggest that candidates lie. Cross does have a point… - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:07 pm: lol. Rod? - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:09 pm: One comment per IP address please. We’re getting more sock puppetry here lately and I don’t like it. Pick a name, stick with it. Don’t propose a poll and then vote on it in a different name. It’s a bannable offense. Thanks. - The Kids are Allright - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:11 pm: Has anyone other than Reilly and Waguespack spoken out against this project? Fioretti opted not even to take a public stand when he spoke, and apparently he will let his vote speak volumes. It remains to be seen how the courts will decide the issues, but with the elected officials that have to stand up and face the voters it is beginning to look like the Slaughter Rule may come into play on this vote. - hank scorpio - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:11 pm: If the state shuts down does that mean Madigan stops getting a paycheck? That would be too bad but I bet Lisa’s campaign fund would have to put him on payroll with all the good work he is putting in. - problem - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:16 pm: Is Currie feeling the heat because she helped kill the Capital bill? Maybe stay in a meeting longer than 20 minutes before you start talking about people making stuff up. - Wumpus - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:20 pm: is Cross trying to keep in Blago so he can be an anchor on the hopes of Dem candidates? I hope so - Loop Lady - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:23 pm: Maybe Barb is just doing what she was told to do…the goings on are beyond ridiculous… - One of the 35 - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:24 pm: Just one question……Has Madigan actually admitted to authoring the memo? I have not seen anything yet to confim that. - fed up - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:25 pm: Madigan knows the feds are about to indict blago so he puts out a memo to show he is considering impeachment. So it looks like he was doing something while blago was selling state jobs and contracts for campaign funds. He has been useless in protecting the taxpayers of Ill. but not nearly as involved in the outright corruption as Emil jones and Halvorson. - He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:26 pm: I used to teach High School and I swear that the leaders act like a bunch of high school kids. After seeing MJM’s Memo, I can only believe this was a staged event with MJM as the Director of the play!! Currie needs to stick it out and be professional about it. ENOUGH - Cassandra - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:26 pm: If the budget bill is “easy” a la the guv, then no problems with the pensions, the $2 billion dollar alleged gap, Medicaid billings, and the like, right. Plenty o dough to do everything. We taxpayers can all rest easy? - All politics is loco - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:26 pm: Rod is truly in a minefield now. His main schtick was to do everything by press conference and depend on mass media coverage of his talking points to sway voters and thru them apply pressure on legislators. Every time he tries to do this now, he’s going to get swamped by the press with embarrassing, off-topic questions like a Detroit running back under a Bears defense. Try to play chicken with a government shutdown, more bad press stories on gridlock and being unable to govern. Call a special session, the Impeachment thing will hang over every moment, no score there. Capital bill is dead as long as he has anything to do with it. Parenthetically, if he really gave a fig about a capital bill, he could just let the legislature pass one and wave it on, but he only wants HIS capital bill HIS way. Or No Way. Go to the flood sites, get the press deluge. Don’t go, get called uncaring and they’ll make Katrina comparisons. Send surrogates and you’re seen as hiding out. Which he is. About all Rod can still do is go see another Hannah Montana concert with his kids. Though given the fact she’s posing provocatively for pic and dating a 22-year-old at fifteen, I think that “wholesome family entertainment” PR ship has sailed as well. The luck he’s having, he should go buy a lotto ticket. - Belle - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:26 pm: ===I think “lie” was a little harsh. What should we call it when they are told not to truthfully answer a question?=== the 5th amendment - Troy 17 - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:27 pm: While Tom Cross and Frank Watson continue to wait on the sidelines in the hope of receving scraps from the Democrat’s dinner table, the Illinois GOP continues to founder without leadership and a coherent message of opposition. Their speeches at last weekend’s State GOP Convention fooled no one. In order to escape the morass we’re in we need new leadership for the GOP from the top down. - hank scorpio - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:27 pm: I wonder what McAsey has to say about this? I’m sure whatever it is it will be her own opinion. - Capitol View - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:27 pm: there is precedence for the Comptroller’s Office aloowing bills to be paid and salaries paid up to 70% of what state government intended to do, through the appropriations process. This started when Sen.John Graham forgot to call an appropriations bill for the Commission to Visit State Prisons at the end of a session. The four leaders (through their chiefs of staff?) certified to the Comptroller of the intended appropriation amount. We have the FY 09 approps as already passed - the Comptroller’s Office can easily keep the funds rolling through the Veto Session. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:28 pm: LOL. I talked to her last night. - Macbeth - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:28 pm: Why would the government shut down because of this? We went through this last year — and into August. The talk of government shutdown was rampant — but even from the inside, no one much believed it. AFSCME, however — that’s a different matter. Here’s to all the new PSA’s in AFSCME! Good luck. - Garp - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:33 pm: I can’t believe the three leaders, (whom I will name Winkin, Blinkin and Nod because I love quoting Harold Washington) really believe the voters of this state are prepared to give this administration 34 more billion dollars. Do the live in la la land? People are freaked out by this deer in the headlights, panicky, run from the press, bald face lying governor. The power of greed is truly a force if it makes these long serving public officials so politically tone deaf. Either that, or it is extreme arrogance in assuming that they are beyond the reach of the electorate. They should be careful because things can change in a hurry. - Mongo - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:35 pm: If the meeting was called to talk budget and that was just a ploy to tak capital, BFC should walk out…so should Leader Cross and Leader Watson. We saw last summer how the Governor chose to run leader meetings, which turned into an inservice about things not germane to the issues. - Ravenswood Right Winger - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:38 pm: Burt Natarus would have successfully lobbied against the Children’s Museum. Reilly is showing what a neophyte he is. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:42 pm: ===Burt Natarus would have successfully lobbied against the Children’s Museum.=== Burt Natarus couldn’t successfully move from his chair. - Sick of it. - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:43 pm: so now all the blame falls on the speaker for stopping the Capitol bill…..good for him! While we do need one the funding sources were too flawed. Selling the lottery is a bad idea and the gambling expansion will never produce the $$$ it needs to. I never want to see a tax increase but at least a small one would be an honest way of coming up win the revenue. - ZC - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:43 pm: Children’s Museum passes, 33-16. - hank scorpio - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:46 pm: Hey Rich, when you talked to McAsey did she ask you for your opinion on the leak or did she just ask Madigan? - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:47 pm: Huh? Not sure I get your question. But most of what she said was in the Capitol Fax this morning. Subscribe and find out. - Ravenswood Right Winger - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:51 pm: So who voted no on the kiddie museum? - Princeville - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:53 pm: In the world of the little peon (raisung hand, me)Blago has recieved numerous ‘oral reprimands’ and has now been given a ‘written reprimand’, and it’s up to Blago what Blago does with it. I also can not believe a ‘top secret’ memo got out that was not suppose to get out. Next, I would think if a running cand. asked for guidance and was supplied with such guidance, ideas, suggestions , that said cand. would not blindly go out and repeat without doing his/her own detailed research. Afterall, what happens when reporter asks cand. to expend or back up the statement just lobed? Madigan handed info and assuming the cand. has half a brain the cand would indeed do their own througho background work. I see what Madigan did as a tool and up to the cand. what he/she does with it and how well they prepare themselves if they do indeed stand up and start talking impeachment. I would not want to hear some cand. or even a sitting legislature demand impeachment by simply screaming for impeachment. I wanna hear why the person demands it and I want to hear details on why I should or should not fall in with you claim. And for my next 2 cents I think that the CP plan needs to be seperated from the operational budget, I don’t see it as needing to be a package deal. And (sorry Speaker, I still luv ya) think it’s time for Blago and Madigan and just Blago and Madigan to meet face to face alone and work it out. - Levois - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:09 pm: Forget mayor perhaps Jesse Jr. should run for governor! - Jaded - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:11 pm: That is a great shot by Emil, except that the Mayor was opposed to the gaming expansion which was connected to the lottery lease, which was connected to the sales tax on gas, which was connected to the leg bone connected to the hip bone…well you get the point. If Mayor Daley really thought the Olympic bid was tied to the Capital Bill, it would happen. The mayor can make this a capital plan happen if he really wanted to. - MG - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:13 pm: From what I heard watching City Council live, I think it was 33 ayes and 16 nayes. Don’t know who didn’t vote. I think I heard the following alderman vote no: Manny Flores (1st), Robert Fioretti (2nd), Toni Preckwinkle (4th), Leslie Hairston (5th), Ricardo Munoz (22nd), Ed Smith (28th), Scott Waguespack (32), Tom Allen (38), Brian Doherty (41), Brendan Railly (42), Vi Daley (43), Tom Tunney (44), and newlywed Joe “Foie Gras” Moore (49). - Ravenswood Right Winger - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:17 pm: 3,744 jobs are not created?????????????? - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:18 pm: That’s what she said. - ZC - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:19 pm: Add to the “no” list Sandi Jackson (7). That’s 14 of the 16. - MG - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:19 pm: I think Schulter (47) voted no, also. - Garp - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:20 pm: My calculations show that only 1900 jobs are created a day except on Friday where over 4000 jobs are created. Of course holiday weeks change everything. I guess I have to go back to the drawing board. - OneMan - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:25 pm: Also every day there isn’t a capital plan a cute little kitten goes without milk for the night. - Frost - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:26 pm: It sounds like this capital bill could single-handedly save the state — nay, the country! — from a recession (or rather, “economic slow-down”). I wonder what sort of creative number-crunching method was employed to generate the 3744 figure. Jones’ comment is silly, if only because Chicago has a slim chance, according to reports, to land the Olympics anyway. Trying to put it on Madigan is a red herring. - Rod sez I'm pork - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:27 pm: Oh no, now the Olympics are threatened! Is it 2009 yet so we can move beyond the Olympics and actually concentrate on more important matters like the McChildrens Museum and Block 37 bailout? - Garp - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:27 pm: A spokesperson for the Governor just clarified a statement that everyday the legislature delays passing the capital bill the main jobs that will be lost are via the judicial and penal system that would be responsible for prosecuting and housing the convicts that would be caught stealing the new revenue. - Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:33 pm: I’ve got to see that chart! I can only imagine the conversation…. “OK, we take 700,000 jobs divided by the number of days until the Cubs are in the World Series…then divide that by $25,000.” - Macbeth - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:33 pm: That must be some chart she brought out. Any pictures? - Princeville - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:34 pm: Did Ms Ottenhoff also bring out a chart showing how many citizens will be affected each day after July 1st that a budget plan is now in place? Or which and how many citizens will suffer if this or that is cut out of the budget? We heard the sky was falling a year ago because of no CP. I agree roads, bridges, and schools ect. need attention but the budget needs to come first and then focus hard and heavy on the CP. We need one we can afford and funding lined up, that covers necessities first and is agreeable to all. Let Blago get the budget done and then call the GA down for CP talks, if the CP can’t stand on it’s own without using the OB as pressure/hostage then obviously the CP needs rethinking. - Macbeth - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:35 pm: And every Illinois con-man thrown in the slammer means millions of dollars lost for campaign funds statewide. I’ve got a chart for that, BTW. - Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:36 pm: After Rezko’s conviction Blago said he had a $2 billion hole to fill; now all of a sudden it’s easy? Does Barbara Eden come out and –blink– it’s all gone with a CP? - The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:39 pm: Mecbeth said….> “That must be some chart she brought out. Any pictures?” I’d settle for a Capitol Fax “You-Tube Music Video” version myself. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:39 pm: With apologies to John Prine: Dear Abby, Dear Abby, Your chart is all wrong, Your assumptions way rosy, Your forecast too strong. You say we can’t live without a capital bill, But since Rod is your boss, I say that we will Siiiigggggggnnnnnnneeeddddd, The Speaker - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:41 pm: wordslinger, thanks for that. - Macbeth - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:42 pm: Are those the jobs created within the same administration that has been accused of “endemic hiring fraud?” Anyway. What goofiness to quantify something like that. It’s meaningless. She might as well say “wishes” or “daisies” instead of “jobs.” - paddyrollingstone - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:43 pm: JJJ’s actions are a good reason why I believe he will never rise above the office of Congress. He clearly is making a rather clumsy power play that could jeopardize the Dems take over of a R seat. What possible reason could there be for him to do this but the obvious one based on his own self-interest? I think even as Illinois becomes deeper and deeper blue, he cannot win a statewide election and his best shot at the Mayor was last year, which I viewed as a long-shot at best. - Muskrat - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:51 pm: Hmmm… IDES says there were 15,560 unemployment claims field in the most recent week … four-week average more like 13,000 …. 3744 times 5 is over 18,000 so the capital bill would not only end new unemployment, but would start eating away at the backlog by 5,000 a week… I smell utopia! - wizard - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:53 pm: Wordslinger-I thought I was the last of the John Prine fans. Very few I know know who he is. Thanks a lot. - Captain America - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:54 pm: Although I don’t think MJM is the greatest thing since sliced bead, I think the four tops schould be discussing the budget, not the capital bill. If the government shuts down, it will again be Blago and Jones who are primarily at fault wih an assist from the Republicans. I’d be happy to see s cosnsnsus emerge on the capital bill too, but it seems less important than keeping the government running, State employees paid, etc.. - Anon - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:54 pm: Isn’t the capital bill only supposed to create 300,000 jobs? Wouldn’t that mean that, after about 80 days at 3744 per day, we’ve lost any benefit from the bill? John Prine did say it best: “I don’t think that you know that I think you don’t know!” - Bill Baar - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:56 pm: Abby Ottenhoff, the governor’s chief spokesperson, just brought out a chart that claimed to show that every day a capital bill isn’t passed, 3,744 jobs are not created. I really hate it when they don’t round numbers lilke this… maybe it won’t be 3,740 or 3,748…? who are the kidding on this stuff…themselves maybe. - Beancounter - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:03 pm: Wordslinger, you made me blow coffee through my nose! More verses! - Judgment Day Is On The Way - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:08 pm: I think 3744 will be my new Pick4 number for the day. - Princeville - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:20 pm: Should I be ‘offended’ that Democratic Rep. Hoffman got and used free media coverage all day Monday to bash kick Democratic Speaker of the House? - Amy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:21 pm: wow, quite the two ring circus today. anything up in the third ring, the Cook County Board? our tax dollars at work… incredible, the cesspool of Chillinois politics. - problem - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:22 pm: Doing back of the envelope in my head (back of the brain), the number is probably 3,744 a week. Don’t know if the poster had an error or Kevin misspoke, or Abby misspoke. But 3,744 a week would make more sense. - Lindsay - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:29 pm: If the Olympic world knew just how screwed up Illinois’ government (including the mayor) is, they might want to wait until all the political bums are thrown out. Ironic thing is Daley himself was against this plan for years and made a magical switcheroo in 2005 thanks to the Hired Truck Scandal. He wouldn’t do something for political reasons, right? - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:34 pm: Who are you people? Scheming to lie? You people actually read through the entire talking points memo and instead of discussing any of the underlying arguments presented by the Speaker, you focus on this? Good thing you people weren’t at listening to Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, or you’d be complaining that he didn’t mention anything about streets or towns. Cross’ comments are silly when Watson disagrees with him at the same time by proposing a GOP version of Madigan’s talking points. Or do you believe that a GOP version wouldn’t be denounced as another scheme to lie too? Drive-byers. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:39 pm: Yeah, it was a week. Miscommunication with something that somebody else said. Fixed. - Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:40 pm: Hoffman claims the impeachment memo is a ‘distraction’ and wishes he (as a state central committee member) was consulted before using party money to produce the memo. This after he admitted he voted for MJM as speaker….. - Greg - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:43 pm: Abby needs to alert the BLS about these job numbers. If the capital bill actually has anything close to that effect, it’s going to seriously throw off job numbers expectations. - Easy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:45 pm: Vanilla man- he instruct his candidates and members not to truthfully answer the question. If you don’t like scheming to lie, come up with something else. evade and avoid? And have you read through the document? Do you think not visiting a state park is an impeachable offense? Last time I checked, the Gettysburg address didn’t come with 5 pages of question and answer. the point isn’t impeachment. if an impeachment resolution came before the house it would get 5 no votes–all dems. the issue is madigan hasn’t called it and now he’s using the issue for pure political gain. It’s just great to see it backfire. McCasey lost her race today. - Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:47 pm: There’s a hole in Blago’s budget, where all the money goes - Gomer GOP - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:50 pm: Wows that 155 jobs an hour or 2.7 a minute. Now how about a chart on how many people go bust every day from gambling? Or from the inability to get drug treatment because the DASA mopes are duds, or… Get the picture Spinsister Slim? Then a chart on which position Cross will take on a final gambling vote - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:50 pm: ===McCasey lost her race today.=== Hardly. It’s an uphill climb, but these things are won and lost at the doors and in the mailboxes. - Crystal Clear - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:50 pm: Cross blew a golden opportunity. He simply should say this is what you get when you have one party Chicago Democrat leadership. Now he looks as though he is defending the Gov. Bad move. - L.S. - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:51 pm: Six Degrees - love the John Prine reference! - L.S. - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:53 pm: of course I was reading comments bottom to top and didn’t realize wordslinger gets the real props. well done. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:56 pm: Also, Brent did poorly against a candidate last time who didn’t work at all. This is one to watch, regardless. And, how much would you bet that this GOP district favors impeachment? - Princeville - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:59 pm: Easy “Do you think not visiting a state park is an impeachable offense?” Not visiting a state park not impeachable. But the lack of funding and concern for proper maint. and upkeep of equipment should be. - Garp - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:01 pm: Rich is right, I would bet in the vast majority of house districts in this state siding with impeachment in November = winner Siding with Blogo = Loser - Easy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:03 pm: people want an independent leader, not someone who just reads cue cards. Mcasey’s first foray into public went horribly bad and the clippings will last forever. The bad press for her is just starting–she will not recover. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:03 pm: Also, remember that the House districts where Madigan’s candidates are challenging incumbents all tend to lean Republican, and none have significant African-American populations. - Herself - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:04 pm: Madigan knew he was going to take alot of heat with his impeachment points memo. I think Madigan knows something that we don’t know. Time will tell. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:05 pm: ===people want an independent leader, === The choice will essentially be this: A Democrat subserviant to Chicago Madigan; and a Republican subserviant to Chicago Blagojevich. - Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:09 pm: Rich…thanks for putting up the flood fund site. If all the readers would send a little something that way, it would make it easier for those who didn’t have a lot before they lost it all. - Garp - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:11 pm: This will not be a Republican year. It will be very hard for a Repub to win anywhere in this state and to tie themselves in with Blogo right now has to be political suicide. - Crystal Clear - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:12 pm: What we have to remember is the ignorance of the electorate. This is what good campaigners rely on. Sound bites that basically say we should impeach a Governor with polling in the teens is a lot easier to sell than trying to explain some poorly written 14 page memo is full of lies. - Speaking At Will - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:15 pm: I have to agree. Even though the Democratic party (Madigan, Blago, Emil) have dont thier level best to wreck the party and the state, the majority of voters in Illinois, like in every state, are not informed. Most people do not read capitol fax, and will vote based on old party affiliations. I would like to see a “Jay walking” type segment asking people if they know who teh governor of the state is. - Crystal Clear - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:19 pm: In 2002, if memory serves, one week before the election, 15% of those polled who were registered voters, thought Jim and George Ryan were the same person. Now that is scary and this is what the Gov has relied on for two elections. - Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:21 pm: They might not be able to spell or pronouce his name, but I think most people know the governor by now. - L.S. - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:21 pm: Easy - what’s it like being able to predict the future? I mean, more than 5 months out, hundreds of thousands of dollars in direct mail, radio and tv ads, hundreds of hours walking and talking to voters. Why even bother, Easy already has the race results figured out! Close up the office and save your energy Hassert and Mcasey, it’s over. - Willie Stark - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:23 pm: Hey reporters, Next time you are asking Jay Hoffman his opinion about impeachment, why don’t you ask him if Ali Atta had it right or wrong when he said Hoffman was in the room when he handed over his $25,000 check for a job? - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:26 pm: Actually, Willie, Hoffman left the room before the money was allegedly handed over to Rod. - Easy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:30 pm: I am willing to bet it will be much easier to portray a democrat who is being funded by the former chair of Blago’s campaign as being closer to Blago than a Republican–any Republican…except stuart levine or kjellander. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:34 pm: Except, Easy, that they got him on tape. Video. Audio. Etc. - Willie Stark - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:44 pm: Fair point, Rich. My mistake and thanks for the correction. As for Jay, he should definitely rest easy at night. - Skeeter - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 4:47 pm: Fioretti was telling people in his ward he would vote no. And Shiller? She’s in the Mayor’s pocket now? What a shame. Two years ago some people got together and tossed out one of Daley’s stooges. Now, we’ve got a bunch of us who thought we could take it easy on the next City election. We’ve got ourselves a handy list of 33 little projects. - Unintentional Sock Puppet - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 6:24 pm: Rich at 1:42 hit it. Sorry, Burt. - A Citizen - Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 7:28 pm: I would think the economies of scale would benefit the taxpayers if we simply ran the Impeachment Process against guv And Emil simultaneously. Would likely save the big bucks. - Ghost - Thursday, Jun 12, 08 @ 8:13 am: A Citizen has a financially sound point. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.