*** 2:09 PM *** If this doesn’t show you how things will go tomorrow in the House and eventually in the Senate, then nothing will…
Illinois state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville - a close friend and the arguably top legislative ally to Gov. Rod Blagojevich - confirmed today that he intends to vote for an impeachment resolution expected Friday.
“I can’t imagine how he can provide the type of leadership that is necessary for us to address the issues” facing the state, Hoffman said in a conversation outside the House chambers this morning. “I’ll be voting tomorrow to move forward with the process and impeach the governor.”
Hoffman, a former Blagojevich roommate and unofficial advisor, has been a vehement supporter, at times shouting down House colleagues in heated floor debate as the only voice in defense of the Democratic governor.
Today, though, Hoffman spoke in somber tones, saying he is “disappointed” at the controversy that has engulfed Illinois since Blagojevich’s Dec. 9 arrest on federal corruption charges, and the resulting impeachment proceedings.
I’ve also been talking to some Senate Democrats off the record in the past few days, including African-American Dems. This thing is on a monorail.
*** 2:46 pm *** The House won’t get the surveillance tapes today. The Senate can always deal with this issue later, if necessary, which it isn’t. From Sun-Times reporter Natasha Korecki…
…a House panel will have to wait for tapes of the governor to be released as defense lawyers try to suppress the recordings. Lawyers will return to discuss the matter Jan. 23.
*** 2:46 pm *** This was probably expected…
Gov. Blagojevich is asking a judge to kick U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald off of his corruption case, the governor’s lawyer said today.
Sheldon Sorosky said they’re seeking to have Fitzgerald removed because of remarks he made during a Dec. 9, 2008 news conference announcing charges against the governor.
Fitzgerald at the time called Blagojevich’s conduct — which included allegedly trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat — “appalling.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ed Chang called Blagojevich’s move “meritless.”
Gov. Blagojevich is asking a judge to kick U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald off of his corruption case, the governor’s lawyer said today.
Sheldon Sorosky said they’re seeking to have Fitzgerald removed because of remarks he made during a Dec. 9, 2008 news conference announcing charges against the governor.
Fitzgerald at the time called Blagojevich’s conduct — which included allegedly trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat — “appalling.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ed Chang called Blagojevich’s move “meritless.”
*** 2:46 pm *** Former gubernatorial aide Bob Arya says Blagojevich should be ordered to get psychiatric evaluation…
But when Arya’s run with Blagojevich came to an end, he had a story to tell — one of intense jealousies by the governor toward President-elect Barack Obama, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and others, a terrorized staff, and emotional instabilities that Arya said demonstrate the need for a psychological evaluation by the legislative panel weighing the governor’s impeachment.
More…
One of the “most disturbing” on-the-job actions by the governor Arya said he saw involved a letter sent to the governor from a Kentucky nurse with Downstate roots who was seeking an expungement so she could obtain an Illinois nursing license. The woman had improperly dispensed medication to a patient in Kentucky but was allowed to retain her license there and couldn’t get a license in Illinois, where she wanted to move to care for her dying father.
In her package to the governor was a letter from Sen. John Jones (R-Mt. Vernon), who had months earlier condemned the Blagojevich administration’s failure to meet with a developer who was considering building a motorcycle plant in his district but later opted instead to build it in Atlanta.
Arya described how Blagojevich came into his office, saw his former chief of staff John Harris reading Jones’ letter on behalf of the woman and took it from him to read. “After realizing it was written by a lawmaker that did not see eye to eye with the governor on some administration priorities, Rod took the letter and said, ‘F— him.’ Then (he) cast the letter aside toward the garbage can.
“That was it. Her life would remain on hold and would not even receive fair consideration simply because Rod had an issue with the senator,” Arya said.
More…
Looking back on his 23 months on the state payroll, which ended last October, Arya described Blagojevich as “a good father and a great guy to go to a ballgame with” but an ineffective, emotionally unstable chief executive.
“I would respectfully suggest this committee seek an independent psychological evaluation of the governor as part of this process,” Arya wrote to the impeachment panel. “I believe Rod, the committee and the people of this great state would benefit from such a move. It is clear to anyone who has been around him that there is ample cause for such an extraordinary request.”
*** 3:14 pm *** Thanks to a commenter, here’s the link to Arya’s full letter to the committee.
- ivoted4judy - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:21 pm:
Kind of, and I mean, kind of, have to feel a “little” sorry for Jay. It is tough to have to vote this way against your friend. Jay stayed loyal to the Governor and worked hard on his behalf. In the end Rod damaged Jay, just like he damaged his family, and his legacy.
Now, Jay is a big boy and he needs to understand that he will really have to return to the BACK OF THE MUSHROOM PATCH!! For the better part of the last 6 years he has been peeing in the Speaker’s morning cheerios on behalf of the goof on the 2nd floor. Jay must take the responsibilty of his actions on behalf of Elvis the Psychopath, and his gang of followers have left long ago. That little dwindling cabal of loyal followers (Phelps-Granberg-Dunkin) have all returned home to the roost. Jay and the Gov left them no place to go, so it will be quite lonely at the back of the mushroom patch for the gentleman from Collinsville..
- Hair today, gone tomorrow - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:23 pm:
put a fork in Rod, he’s done.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:23 pm:
ivoted4judy, Granberg resigned this week.
- Deep South - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:28 pm:
Perhaps Rod WILL go before the full House votes…or, if not, before the thing goes to the senate. But of course, he is a bit of an enigma, isn’t he?
- Clarity - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:32 pm:
The citizens of the State of Illinois have disappointed in Gov. Rod Blagojevich for years. Our elected official must make honest choices of what and whom to support. It’s painful to walk away from a close friend or associate, but it is sometimes necessary to protect yourself, your family or the citizens of the state of Illinois. Representative Hoffman is making the right choice, just years to late.
- Maggie - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:32 pm:
Rich,
I had heard Granberg resigned. Is he resigning to become the DNR director ? Or is that off the table ?
- Steve - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:36 pm:
What’s next Jimmy DeLeo jumping ship?
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:37 pm:
Hoffman voting for Blagojevich impeachment is like Dick Cheney voting for Pat Leahy.
- Railfan - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:37 pm:
Since it now seems to be only a matter of time before Pat Quinn takes over as governor (and who thought we’d ever see THAT happen?), and given the megatons of tsoris awaiting him, what is the first thing he should do, or must do?
- bored on 1 - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:40 pm:
Pat Quinn should hold an informal party, because God knows we could all use one.
- beagle - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:42 pm:
That things have gotten to this point says a lot more about the Governor than about Rep. Hoffman. Whether you agreed with Rep. Hoffman or not (and I usually didnt), anyone who has been watching for the last 6 years would hope that they have friends as loyal to them as he was to the Governor at some point in their lives. Maybe not when you’re running the state into the ground as an inept and corrupt executive but still…..
- Black Ivy - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:42 pm:
Rich, what exactly have you been speaking to Senate Democrats and African-American Democrats about?
Like Hoffman, many of them are personally supportive of the Governor, but must be guided by the consensus of their constituents, many of whom overwhelmingly wish to move on with the business of state governance and view Blagojevich as an impedement.
I look forward to a court resolving Blagojevich’s guilt or innocence notwisthstanding any impeachment from the House. Let’s hope the Senate is not so swayed by ulterior motives.
- You Go Boy - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:42 pm:
Hoffman knew this Governor as well as anyone, and what he was all about. In no way should he be given quasi-kudo’s for “loyalty”. He was Enabler in Chief, legislatively speaking - and he has plenty of co-conspirators. How many spoke out against the criminal early on when it was obvious what he was/is. Blago is a scorched earth policy guy- and now if justice prevails, he will be scorched very soon. Justice indeed
- Toni H. - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:43 pm:
The first thing Quinn needs to do is thank GOD he’s finally IN! Second - OPEN THE CHILLED BOTTLE and drink it all!!! Don’t share, just drink the whole thing. Good GOD it’s gonna taste so great!
- Little Egypt - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:49 pm:
I’m not surprised about Hoffman. I read in the Belleville paper several weeks ago that Hoffman was calling for Blago to resign. To vote for impeachment would go along with Hoffman’s newfound sensibility. I just have to wonder for the past 6 years what has been Jay’s payoff for his loyalty.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:51 pm:
Blagojevich’s demands to remove Fitzgerald is also “meritless” and “appalling”.
- Princess - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:51 pm:
–”Granberg resigned this week.”–
Does this Rod issue put an end to the Granberg may be appointed Director of DNR that has bobbed around for a while?
–”Kind of, and I mean, kind of, have to feel a “little” sorry for Jay.”–
I felt a glimmer of sympathy for about 30 seconds for Jay, but I got over it quickly, I’m feeling grumpy today and my opinion is what it is.
- Reality Check - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:52 pm:
I’ll take this as a high form of praise:
in November 2007 he sent a memo to Harris and eventually the governor himself titled “Reality Check,” which proclaimed the anti-Madigan initiatives a complete failure that left the governor’s 2007 legislative agenda in tatters.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/1368377,bob-arya-memo-impeach-panel-blagojevich-010809.article
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:53 pm:
For Rod, is there anything to be gained at this late date by resigning? Some good will from the feds? Or did that train leave the station months ago?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:56 pm:
===Does this Rod issue put an end to the Granberg may be appointed Director of DNR that has bobbed around for a while?===
Maybe not. See: Roland Burris.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:58 pm:
Blagojevich needs treatment?
No - Blagojevich needed a group of men and woman around him to tell him where to go when he needed to be told. Blagojevich’s behavior isn’t unusual for elected officials.
- Bob Arya? - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:04 pm:
Before anyone gets too frothed up about the Bob Arya stuff, people should know that it is well known throughout the state that Mr. Arya was no more a “senior advisor” to the governor than you or I.
Supposedly, he lasted all of one week as the Governor’s “body man.” That was in November 2006.
The following two years were marked, by those who worked with him in the gov’s office and at cms, by long stretches of days or weeks where he wouldn’t come in to work and nobody knew where he was.
And it is highly doubtful that he had any conversations with the governor after november 2006 until he was fired a few months ago.
It would seem easy to get all excited about this “revealing look at the inside,” but I don’t think we are that lucky.
This, unfortunately, just seems to be more like hot air from a disgruntled employee.
Ah well.
- Been There - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:04 pm:
Did Gensen help Ayra write his letter? Planting the seed for the insanity plea?
- ArchPundit - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:08 pm:
===This, unfortunately, just seems to be more like hot air from a disgruntled employee.
Because no one has heard similar stories from Blagojevich staffers for the last 6 years. No one, right?
- Captain Flume - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:08 pm:
As for the “disgruntled employee,” it has been my experience that when you no longer have to kiss someone’s ***, you usually want to kick it. And that many times gruntled employees will lead you much further from the truth than the disgruntled ones.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:08 pm:
lol
- Bob Arya? - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:17 pm:
Not saying its all false, but just that if you are looking for a testimonial from someone close to the governor, this ain’t it.
That’s what I was referring to.
- ChampaignDweller - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:20 pm:
If true, that’s one pathetic story about the nurse.
- Anon - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:11 pm:
The behavior described could fit a number of folks, mostly those under the cloud.
Even Sneed wrote about one in particular, more than once, and she was spot on.
- Lurker - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:11 pm:
I wondered what was up when we were abruptly and quietly asked to remove Bob from our e-mail lists.
Anyone who has worked for this admin, including myself, can find something to relate to in that letter - it’s not disgruntled employee stuff.
- SpfldJimbo - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:39 pm:
After years of being a willing enabler of Lil’ Elvis… all of a sudden, when everyone is watching,… Jay Hoffman attempts to play the part of “Statesman”. Phoney!
- Possibly - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:46 pm:
Maybe some of what Arya says is true since what I’ve always heard is the only reason he hung on for two years is to keep him from running his mouth, but he portrays himself as having a lot of access for a long time, which I doubt to be the case. There’s a reason everyone referred to him as “What about Bob”. No one knew what he did or why he was there.
- yee-haw - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 5:58 pm:
Bob definitely hit the nail on the head with his letter. Everything that he wrote about is absolutely true. Just ask anyone who has ever worked in the Gov’s office. He might be kind of an odd guy, but his integrity and heart are in the right place. All of these details would be easily verifiable.
- this voter will remember - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 6:15 pm:
Little Egypt - you want to know what was Jay’s payoff for his loyalty - take a look at all the political hires at IDOT in Collinsville that have occurred in the last 6 years. There were people that showed up and stated that they were working there - the problem was that no one knew who they were and they had not previously filled out an application or even interviewed for a job. These individuals did not even know what job they were suppose to be doing. There were a couple of individuals who have had assistants, where previously there was none. Or how about starting at one salary that is in accordance with your title, getting a demotion to be put in the union (while keeping your salary) and then getting a time and grade promotion. Fitzgerald needs to come to IDOT.
- Southern Belle - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 6:16 pm:
Rich, isn’t it true Jay Hoffman
received a tremendous amount of money from a law firm because he had close connections to the Guv all these years?
- Ceasar - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 7:46 pm:
“Eht, tu, Hoffman?”
- Downstate Cook County (Macoupin County) - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 8:02 pm:
Hoffman’s seat may be ripe for the pickin’ the next election!
- Ms Port Belly Mushroom - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 8:06 pm:
With his career drive to replace Jesse White stalled and his downstate army of “volunteers” temporarily sidelined, will the ever-lovable Jay Hoffman still be able to squirm his way through the doors of power by wielding his sizable campaign warchest? Can he remain the all-powerful keeper of the Metro East Dem primary vote?
Can he find a way to distribute that cash to candidates without contaminating them with the stench of his Blagojevich years?
Will he succeed in putting himself back in the driver’s seat in time to spearhead the 2012 Capital Bill?
Stay tuned Punknhaid fans.
- Little Egypt - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 8:11 pm:
This Voter - I hope Fitzgerald is taking a good look at IDOT, Corrections, and all of the other STate agencies for the hiring fraud. Isn’t that what he was going after in the first place (hiring fraud)?
Hoffman’s seat is safe. It’s the Metro East and if they put up with Jerry Costello in Congress, they will keep re-electing Hoffman to the State legislature.
- Ceasar - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 8:11 pm:
Next election season will see a punkin’ chucking contest.
- Former Staffer - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 9:15 pm:
Thank you Bob Arya for speaking for all of us who have been too afraid to share our horrible experiences. While I was there several years earlier, it was the exact same BS that I dealt with. Anyone who is doubting the veracity of his memo has never stepped foot in the JRTC or spent more than a couple of minutes with Rod - and has certainly never worked for the man.
- J - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 9:37 pm:
Really, if anyone thinks Bob Arya’s memo wasn’t all about Bob Arya, you are delusional.
More of his “inside information” came from news articles than actual in-person experiences.
Here is a man who ran around pretending to be a close advisor of the Governor for two years when he had no more than 1 conversation with the man, and then turns around and pretends to have been the Governor’s foil during that time.
The question isn’t whether any of it is true or not. For all we know, it is probably much worse.
The question is - why did anyone give him the time of day, let alone a front-page story on the Chicago Sun-Times.
- Bookworm - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 10:06 pm:
This may seem like a silly or obvious question but, since I wasn’t around at the time, I have to ask … how did Hoffman get the nickname “Punkin Haid”?
- hohum - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 10:27 pm:
Does someone remember — was Jay in the room, or just at the meeting, when Ata put the 25 g’s on the table? How could he be thisclose to the gov and not know what was going on?
- anona again - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 10:49 pm:
hoho i dont remember him being there period but how could you be in the room at not at the meeting
- not in the room or meeting - Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 11:23 pm:
I think the testimony was that Hoffman was in the room for a meeting beforehand, and was there with the Gov when Ata arrived. Then Jay and the others left… or something like that.