Some Hometown News
Ed Fansenlow in the Beacon has some thoughts on the open positions in Aurora city government
The Beacon News also has been covering the bribery trial involving a former Aurora alderman and a developer.
Finally a big drug gang was hit by the feds.
OneMan

Glad to see the crime problem is solved in town so State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia and the state democratic party can focus on Social Security Privatization

AURORA — State democrats highlighted potential downfalls of President Bush's plan to privatize Social Security during an informational workshop here Monday.
State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia of Aurora and representatives from Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's Chicago office explained to the nearly 100 audience members how the current Social Security program works and reviewed the potential consequences of some proposals to reform the system.

I think the guy from Cross' office had this one right

"I think we've got serious issues at the state level that need to be addressed by the legislature, and instead the Democrats are having hearings on a federal issue that has absolutely nothing to do with the state legislature," said David Dring, spokesman for House Republican Leader Tom Cross of Oswego.

Also it's interesting to get a lecture on pensions from the gang that gave us (along with Governor Blagojevich) the pension contribution holiday.

The gang that gave us the new way to fund your retirement, skip a couple of payments into the 401K so you can get that big-screen TV but agree that when you are 72 you will skip golf every other week, the numbers will work out.

OneMan

From the AP

Rod Blagojevich has begun releasing 195 million dollars for pork projects frozen since he started his term as governor
--snip--
A spokeswoman for Blagojevich says the money is being released because prior commitments had been made to communities and groups that are receiving the funds.

Yeah after 3 years they just realized one day commitments were made. Please, I am sure this has nothing to do with at all with the recent Public Official A stuff. Seriously, do they think anyone buys this?

OneMan

Ok, if you are Jim Edgar do you announce (if you are running) on the day the indictment stuff Sneed mentions goes down or do you try to go before that with the thought that it will add play to the Blago is bad stuff or do you not worry about that at all?


OneMan

Last one tonight, the guys at OpenLine (great Aurora focused blog BTW). Have some stuff on what looks like a growing conflict between an Aurora Alderman and The Weisner Administration over a major proposed development in the city.

I haven't really blogged much about the Weisner Administration since even though I didn't support him I have been giving him the benefit of the doubt. It takes time to get an administration going and I don't want to sound like a bitter guy who supported his opponent.

But his response to the Alderman's critiquing (read the OpenLine item to get the exact wording)over how the development proposal is being handled as well as one other specific action early in his administration seem to demonstrate a profound 'tin-ear' politically. Heck both of them alone will make even better mailing material than the water crisis.

Remember Rule #7, Don't start your response to a criticism by attacking your critics. The time for doing that may come, but don't start there.

Take the high road and say something like. "I understand the alderman has concerns, we will take a look at the proposal and our approach so far". Don't call the Alderman out on it. It just makes you look really defensive and puts him on the attack. It also increases the chances of getting the other alderman ticked at you.

OneMan

There was local dust-up recently over some comments the Kane County Democratic Party Chairman made about Speaker Hastert. (Via the Cross Guys and some others)

A top local Democrat is coming under fire from Republicans and at least one member of his own party after a speech last week that some say devolved into a "mean-spirited" personal attack on House Speaker Dennis Hastert.

The controversial remarks came during a Sept. 15 speech at Northern Illinois University, where Kane County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Guethle told a group of DeKalb-area partisans that Hastert was nothing more than President Bush's "mouthpiece in the Senate."

Hastert, of course, is a member of the House.

Denny Wiggins the Kane County GOP chairman had a response in part

The comments went unanswered until Thursday, when Kane County Republican Party Chairman Denny Wiggins called on Guethle to publicly apologize for the "distasteful" attack.

"I am stunned by the mean-spirited and personal nature of your remarks," Wiggins wrote in a letter delivered both to Guethle and the local media. "Sadly, this is the kind of irresponsible rhetoric we have come to expect under your leadership."

As at least one local democrat pointed out, going after the Speaker really doesn't help local democrats much. If you want to argue ideas, fine we can do that. If you want to argue policy and the implementation therein, cool. You want to go neener-neener-neener have fun because we will more than happy to let you do that, just don't expect neener-neener-neener back.

Off the normal subject but I would like to understand why I need to give a place my name and phone number in order to get a haircut. It was one of these multi-location plases. (The name wasn't Haircut Hut but that's what I am going to use for this)

Haircut Hut: Name Please
Me: Why, I just want a haircut.
Haircut Hut: Well then I can't enter you into the system
Me: So
Haircut Hut: Then we can't help you
Me: Ok (leaves)
Fortunatly Stu's barber shop on Ogden in Aurora and the barber shop in downtown Naperville accross from the YMCA downtown don't need my info.

I understand why Haircut Hut wants it, I don't understand why they have to have it in order to provide me services.

Secondly, why does an oil change requrie 10 minutes or service and 10 minutes of up-sell..

Andy Rooney Mode now off.

OneMan

Sneed has some scoop

Sneed hears rumbles a top, top player in the state health pension scandal may plead guilty today. (Already indicted in the scandal are lobbyist Stuart Levine and attorney Joe Cari. Gov. Blagojevich is rumored to be "Public Official A" in the Cari plea.)

Will this player's cooperation be a blockbuster? Stay tuned.

Rich was nice enough to link to some SurveyUSA number on Gov Blagojevich.

As of right now it looks like he better hope that only pro-choice liberals vote in November 2006.

Some Basic numbers
Approval:
Downstate 26%
Collars 37%
Liberal 53% (Trending up)

Wonder how Public Offical A is polling.

It would appear (at least via a google news search) that the Naperville Unitarian Church 'inicdent' that there has been no coverage in the Trib or the Sun Times. That surprises me a bit, I kind of figured this would be a bigger story.


OneMan

Kris and Betsy (actually Betsy) mentioned this on the Croncast on Sunday/Monday. FYI, Croncast is a great podcast and as long as you don't have an issue with HBO language once in a while I recommend it.

Anyway it appears there was some sort of threat issued against the Naperville Unitarian Church, enough of a threat that the Bomb squad rolled out and service had to be moved outside. The Sun put it like this

DuPage County Sheriff's Department officials on Monday continued their investigation into an incident that disrupted weekend services at a Naperville-area church, an incident church officials characterized as a hate crime fomented by parishioners' support of same-sex marriage.

During the Croncast (again go download the show kids) Betsy mentioned how it would be covered in the local paper (she was a bit more descriptive but I forget exactly how she put it). The Naperville Sun quoted from a parishioner who also is and officer with DuPage NOW as well as a statement issued

The spokeswoman said investigators are not treating the incident as a hate crime, although officials of the church and area chapters of the National Organization for Women described it as such Monday.

"Some of the members (of the church) are defiant.
We're not going to be scared into backing away from our values," said Kaiya Iverson, who is both chairwoman of the church's public ministry committee and president of the DuPage County chapter of the National Organization for Women

I guess my question is, why not cover the story also from the prospective of other churches or even just from the prospective of this church. I am a little surprised to see NOW referenced so much in the story. I think that will lead to some people to 'tune out' a story that has an impact on everyone of faith in the area.

If I say nothing when they try to intimidate the Unitarians who is going to say anything when someone tries to intimidate Lutherans?

That's it, blame everyone else... It's the Republican's fault, it isn't my fault. Oh, I didn't have to appoint a Republican, opps. It's still their fault somehow.

Is anything Gov. Blagojevich's fault?

How can Blagojevich argue his fundraising is all above board at the same time he says that he does not even pay attention to it?

OneMan

We need to stop having this Public official A messing around in government.

Channel 2 offered their version of who Public official A is, apparently so has Channel 7

I am looking forward to a host of denials and Katrina related press releases to try an counter.

The Comments over at the CapFax are entertaining. I suggest you take a look.

One poster mentions the pro Blagojevich bloggers, is there such a thing as a really pro Blagojevich blog? Seriously, I know there are bloggers who are pro-Obama and have nice things to say about other state dems, but seriously is any blogger a real Blagojevich cheerleader? There are lots of bloggers all over the country who are in love with Obama, but do any love Gov. Blagojevich?

FYI, the press releases on the State web site does not count as a blog.

BTW.. Since I am looking at blog love for Sen. Obama vs. Gov. Blagojevich Senator Obama's response to President Bush's speech tonight was excellent. Obama may be more liberal than Durbin but he comes across as much more rational I think he may have a real future in politics ;-)

OneMan

There was a recent press release (July 6th, yes I am a little behind) about some changes in Illinois law to help Nursing and Nurses in Illinois. A lot of it isn't bad but this kind of caught my eye

The Nursing Education Scholarship Program has increased its effectiveness with additional funding included in the reauthorization of the Nursing Practice Act, signed by Gov. Blagojevich in 2004. The Act increased the percentage of license fees that are transferred into the scholarship program. In 2006, there will be $1.2 million – an increase of $450,000 – to provide approximately 150 students with financial assistance to pursue an associate degree in nursing, an associate degree in applied sciences in nursing, a hospital-based diploma in nursing, a baccalaureate degree in nursing, a graduate degree in nursing, or a certificate in practical nursing.

Do other professions have part of their licensing fees go to scholarships? Doesn't this result in Nurses basically being taxed to train more nurses? If this is that important shouldn't this be coming out of general revenue funds?

So basically, we are 'taxing' nurses to increase the number of nurses. So by the basic laws of supply and demand, more nurses, less pay for nurses. So Nurses are paying a fee that may end up in them losing leverage with employers. That's smart.


OneMan

I got a e-mail yesterday from Michael Moore asking Bush voters to defend the President over the handling of Katrina.

I think there will be plenty of blame to go around, including a decent amount on the Bush administration. How the questions get answered in the long term is going to have a bigger impact that anything.

My biggest two questions.

Why did guys with a so little emergency response backgrounds get put in charge of FEMA?

In large multi-state disasters should the federal government step in and take charge right away regardless of the wishes of the states involved?

I don't think I am going to like the answer to question number one and I don't think America is going to like the answer to question #2

OneMan

Some more on the Mark Suppelsa piece on the funds sweep and Blagojevich administrations response from Bradley Tusk.

The fact remains: It looks hypocritical. Take "pet friendly" license plates, for example. The state says the extra fee helps spay and neuter animals. It's not meant to pay state bills.

"I think when someone's buying a license plate, they're not thinking -- nor do I think there's any awareness of -- the license plate fund in the Secretary of State's office. They want their license plate, they're getting their license plate," says Tusk.

Umm Brad, they might get that idea from the Secretary of State web site (the Pet Friendly page in fact) From the site.

The Governor signed legislation into law on January 11, 2002 that allows for the issuance of Pet Friendly license plates.

Proceeds from these plates goes into a pet overpopulation fund to provide money for spaying and neutering Illinois Companion animals.

So did the governor realize that is was going to end up as general revenue funds when he signed the legislation?

Perhaps they didn't go to the website, the brochure (at least the PDF version on the web site) has this...

Pet lovers across the state know the importance of keeping
their animals healthy and safe. But pet overpopulation can
be a problem if dogs, cats and other “companion” animals
are not properly spayed or neutered and allowed to roam
free.
My office offers pet lovers the unique opportunity to support
animal population control in Illinois by purchasing a set of
Pet Friendly License Plates. Proceeds from the sale of these
plates go into a fund to provide money for spaying and
neutering Illinois companion animals.
Pet Friendly plates provide a great way to show your love of
animals and even say something special about your pet with
vanity or personalized plates.
Jesse White
Secretary of State

Umm Brad I don't know where someone would get the idea that the money from the 'Pet Friendly' plate would actually go to helping pets and spaying and neutering animals.

Perhaps the Sec of State?

OneMan

Others have blogged about the Mark Suppelsa piece on the funds sweep. Governor Blagojevich had deputy governor Bradley Tusk respond. The response has this bit.

"Not disingenuous at all. Because in the Governor's budget addresses -- I don't know if you've read those -- he was very clear and up front in saying: 'We have these special purpose funds. They have an excess balance of several billion dollars. And we can use the money that's sitting there unused, not being used for anything else, to make sure that children get healthcare, to make sure that veterans get more help, to make sure that more kids can go to preschool.' "

Ummm, the Metabolic Screening Fund that was targeted for raiding had an enabling act That had this in it (emphasis is mine)

Require that all specimens collected pursuant to
this Act or the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder
be submitted for testing to the nearest Department of Public
Health laboratory designated to perform such tests. The
Department may develop a reasonable fee structure and may
levy fees according to such structure to cover the cost of
providing this testing service. Fees collected from the
provision of this testing service shall be placed in a
special fund in the State Treasury, hereafter known as the
Metabolic Screening and Treatment Fund. Other State and
federal funds for expenses related to metabolic screening,
follow-up and treatment programs may also be placed in such
Fund. Moneys shall be appropriated from such Fund to the Department of Public Health solely for the purposes of
providing metabolic screening, follow-up and treatment
programs. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit
any licensed medical facility from collecting additional
specimens for testing for metabolic or neonatal diseases or
any other diseases or conditions, as it deems fit.

So you could have used that 'money just sitting around' for metabolic screening, follow-up and treatment programs, instead as part of the general revenue fund.

Oh FYI, there is this at the end of section E of the law

Any person violating the provisions of this subsection (e) is guilty of
a petty offense.

OneMan

Any bets on how long it is going to take Sneed to tie Katrina to either The Burkes or Gibsons?

Have to give Gov. Blagojevich credit for what he has done so far in reguards to Katrina (Yes, I too expect the earth of open up and swallow me for saying that).

OneMan

Zorn had a post a couple of days ago Is it time to Get a Gun?.

Thursday of last week I commented to Mrs OneMan that there is going to be a spike in gun sales. Lots of folks, folks who would never even consider owning a gun saw what happened in New Orleans and started to wonder if they needed to get a gun in order to protect their family in a time of crisis.

OneMan

I have to give Benedictine (where I got my masters, not in English obviously) some credit for this.

Benedictine University President William J. Carroll has answered a call for help from the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) by announcing late Thursday that Benedictine will accept students displaced in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The students would only pay that tuition due to their Katrina-stricken institutions, and those monies would then be forwarded to those institutions so they would be able to meet their financial obligations. If tuition has already been paid to the stricken school, Benedictine will honor that commitment.

“The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) put out a status report today (Thursday) on our sister colleges and a request for help,” Carroll said. “The situation in many schools is dire. This disaster caused me to wonder what would happen to us if we were faced with such a tragedy.”

Carroll said Benedictine would: accept at face value “temporarily” displaced students from a Katrina-stricken school; those students will come to Benedictine paying what they would pay at their home school; the students will be seen as “temporary” Benedictine students with all rights and privileges; and tuition collected, in its entirety, will be sent to the Katrina-stricken institution.

“Students would also be provided free room (space permitting),” Carroll said.

Heck I might even give a little money next time they call.

OneMan

Walked the Labor Day parade in Naperville today with a Steve Rauschenberger group. Decent sized group walking, decent sized crowd at the parade. One thing about Steve is he does find a way to say thanks at the end of the parade. (When I walked with a Steve sign in the Aurora 4th parade, he wasn't there I got a thank you e-mail). I have walked for lots of folks running for stuff who can't be bothered to acknowledge you are even there handing stuff out for them or just walking. It's nice when someone says thanks, often I feel a bit taken for granted in those situations.

There were two labor groups in the Labor Day parade, the pipefitters and the Electricians.

OneMan

Got an e-mail blaming Bush for all of the problems down in New Orleans from Michael Moore today. He was also kind enough to toss in a few shots about the war. I have to admit I found Michael Moore more entertaining (and I thought he was much more effective) when he was dealing with economic and labor issues.

I figured he would have to something to say about the lack of labor solidarity at Northwest Airlines. But then again he can't blame Bush for that, which seems to be his focus now which is sad.

OneMan

Another place to give to Huricane Relief is The Salvation Army

Zorn has another retort (this one from Kirk Dillard) to be Bring-it-On thing, this one is much better than mine. I'll share the last part with you and suggest you follow the link to the rest

COMPETENCE AND CHARACTER

What Team Blagojevich fails to grasp is that being Governor is about management and paying attention to detail. The Blagojevich administration is the proverbial '“gang that couldn'’t shoot straight'.” Blagojevich is the only governor in memory to have allowed legislation to become law because he forgot to act on the bills.

Unlike other governors, Blagojevich has ignored his responsibility to act on Prisoner Review Board cases and there is now an unprecedented backlog of 1700 cases.

I could go on, but the list would fill several editions of Capital Fax.

Being governor is more than just numbers and press releases. Governors also represent the citizens and should do so with maturity and dignity.

Rod Blagojevich blew off his own Prayer Breakfast and delayed the start of a State Senator'’s funeral service because the governor could not make it on time as usual. This conduct is undignified and disrespectful.

Last year, after years of hard work, veterans from the Greatest Generation asked Rod Blagojevich to speak at the dedication of the stateÂ’s World War II Memorial. Although his spokesman acknowledged he had no other commitment, Blagojevich refused to attend.

We need a governor who will be a statesman, not aspire to be Elvis Presley. If Jim Edgar makes a return to public life, he will be welcomed.

The people of Illinois want a leader who will BE governor, not PLAY governor.

I look forward to 2007 when the people of Illinois can look at the State Capitol and collectively say, “Finally. Thankfully. Elvis has left the Building.”

I though of some of this too, it seems that Gov. Blagojevich seems to fail at the basic 'Blocking and Tackling' of governance. Be it the Health Care Board or the Gaming Board.


OneMan

I got an e-mail (not on the blog account but the one I use to give to campaigns for e-mail stuff) from 'Draft Jim Edgar' at www.jimedgar.com

The registration is hidden so a whois tells you nothing. Interesting looking site, just curious how they got my e-mail address.

OneMan