Comptroller Dan Hynes

(Chicago, IL) — December 2, 2009. Democratic candidate for Governor Dan Hynes yesterday unveiled his plan to create jobs.

“To succeed, Illinois needs a dynamic change in direction,” Hynes said in his Rockford announcement.  “Our state needs innovative leadership and innovative policies that are geared toward creating an innovative economy. Illinois needs a Clean Start.”

Hynes unveiled his Clean Start plan in Rockford, home to the highest unemployment rate in the state. As of October 2009, the unemployment rate in Winnebago County was 15.9 percent, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

The Statewide unemployment rate is 11%.

Hynes says his Clean Start for Illinois is a roadmap to fighting unemployment by “taking a holistic approach to growing Illinois’ economy”. The plan addresses the state’s areas of deficiency:

• Innovation – investing in technology, ideas, and new industries.
• Economic Diversity – investing in small businesses and community-based enterprises.
• Growth Capital and Entrepreneurship – investing in new businesses.
• Productivity – investing in our people, their health, education, and training.
• 21st Century Government – investing in a nimbler, more modern state government.

“The Clean Start for Illinois plan is a recognition that we must embrace the future, and be bold in our solutions to grow our state economy,” Hynes said.

Governor Pat Quinn

Hynes’ agenda is indeed bold.

The summary of the economic issues facing Illinois is masterful in analysis. But the proposed “solutions” are mournfully short in detail. Hynes offers no estimated cost to the state treasury to pay for his initiatives. He offers no timetable. None. Additionally, he offers zero estimate on the number of, well, jobs to be created. Zero.

Illinois has lost more than 286,000 jobs in the last year. It would be reassuring—and credible–to voters if a “jobs plan” contained three essential elements: 1. How much will it cost? 2. When will it start? 3. How many jobs it will produced?

Is that asking too much?

What Hynes has proposed is a bold and thoughtful jobs plan—for some distant, undefined future. But the plan has no sense of urgency. And it’s the here and now that worries Illinois voters. There is precious little in his plan that appears actionable by the legislature next year.

Meanwhile, at his Rockford press conference, Hynes attacked Quinn over his handling of the state’s $31 billion new capitol projects jobs bill that will generate an estimated 439,000 jobs over the next six years.

“Pat Quinn had a choice. He could have signed the capital bill immediately, created jobs and given the economy a jumpstart. Or he could use this essential legislation as a political chip, holding its passage over the heads of lawmakers reluctant to pass his misguided 50 percent income tax increase on middle class families. Pat Quinn chose to play politics. So in this time of economic uncertainty, after yet another construction season has ended, the job growth from the capital bill is nearly invisible and unemployment continues to rise.”

The state’s first capitol construction bill in nearly a decade was ensnarled in budget politics during the legislative session. And Quinn bears the lion’s share of the political responsibility. He’s the governor. He called the shots. He linked the capital bill to the budget–and that budget slugfest dragged into July.

Rightly or wrongly that linkage came at the expense of a lost construction season. It’s just a fact.

Quinn, who has his own jobs plan for the campaign season, did manage in April to squeeze out a mini-capital bill, House Bill 289, which rolled out 858 miles of road and bridge projects throughout Illinois, creating and retaining nearly 4,000 jobs statewide. But it’s too little given the current Illinois job crisis.

Between Quinn and Hynes’ combined jobs plans—Quinn focusing on traditional road, bridge and school infrastructure and Hynes focusing on 21st century high-tech innovation—hold real economic promise for Illinois—in the future.

It’s the present that is short-changed.

It’s the present voters will remember in this election year to come.

(Chicago, IL) — December 2, 2009. State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago) faces doubting voters as he seeks a fifth term.

According to a new poll by Dunkin’s opponent, attorney David Schroeder, Dunkin’s re-elect number among Illinois 5th district voters is only 35%.

In a Facebook posting today, Schroeder wrote: “Dunkin’s lack of visibility and erratic voting record has left voters looking for new leadership. He’s at 35% re-elect!”.

Shroeder is leaking bits and pieces of his poll results throughout the week to his supporters via Facebook. He will issue a complete polling memorandum by the end of the week. At that point, we’ll see, hopefully, where Shroeder stands in a head-to-head against Dunkin.

Meanwhile, Schroeder, who cleared a petion challenge, today officially “announced” his campaign, by personally calling voters and launching 17,000 robo calls to district voters with the announcement.

“This campaign is about giving the people a voice in Springfield for a change. I wanted to speak to the voters directly, and hear directly from them,” said Schroeder.

A former educator and small business owner Schroeder began his political activistm as a volunteer for Harold Washington.

In this heavily African-American district, the link to Washington is a useful cared for Schroeder to play.

Comptroller Dan Hynes

(Chicago, IL) — December 1, 2009. Comptroller and Democratic candidate for governor Dan Hynes yesterday called on Governor Pat Quinn to fire two former appointees of former Governor Rod Blagojevich.

“I cannot fathom for the life of me why these two people [George Rada and Surami Garcia], who managed to leapfrog 17 veterans for jobs at a time our nation is at war, no less – and then lied about it to investigators – continue to draw state paychecks and benefits at taxpayer expense,” Hynes said in a press release.

“Pat Quinn owes the people of Illinois an explanation.”

Hynes cited a report by Dave McKinney, Tim Novak, and Chris Fusco in the Chicago Sun-Times last week on November 23 that at least 70 Blagojevich appointees were holding onto their jobs despite Quinn’s pledge to fumigate state government, including Rada and Garcia, who got their jobs by sidestepping veterans preference laws and then lying about it to investigators.

Hynes added:

“It seems the Governor’s commitment to actual fumigation of state government does not extend much beyond sound bytes and PR, and when real questions are raised, the silence is deafening. Once again, the politics of expediency win out, and the song remains the same in Springfield.”

Ouch.

In the Sun-Times story, Quinn press secretary Bob Reed said:

“Since coming into office, the governor has repeatedly stated that every state worker is being evaluated on an ongoing basis that’s based on their abilities, conduct and on-the-job performance. He has made it very clear that all employees are required to do their jobs well and give their best effort every day. Those that fail to do so will be dealt with in a proper, fair and equitable manner.”

In response to Hynes’ attack, the Quinn campaign declined from comment and referred THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER to seek comment to the Governor’s office.

Governor Pat Quinn

A statement released by Governor Quinn’s office said:

“There is an ongoing federal criminal investigation into unlawful acts by persons associated with the Blagojevich Administration.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office asked the State not to do anything that might interfere with the investigation, and the State continues to honor that request.”

Woe.

That’s differant.

While the Quinn statement is short on details, it packs a pretty clear message: The employment status of certain Blagojevich appointees is now in the hands of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.

Hynes got his answer–in spades.

First, Quinn suggests that further Blagojevich personnel questions should be directed to 230 South Dearborn, Chicago. Second, and more important, the Quinn campaign has just shuffled the Blagojevich issue off the campaign agenda and into the sanctified and impenetrable sanctum of Mr. Fitzgerald. Third, Quinn now aims to take a gubernatorial, sphinx-like posture on Blago.

Clever.

This screen image made from Michaele Salahi's Facebook page shows a photo of Michaele Salahi, second right, and hubby Tareq, right with Burris and his wife.

(Chicago, IL) – December 1, 2009. White House party crashers Michaele Salahi and her husband Tareq Salahi get around. And they seem to be stalking Barack Obama.

Before they crashed President Obama’s first White House state dinner, they also crashed the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Awards Dinner on Sept. 26, 2009, according to the Associated Press.

Obama spoke at this dinner.

These fame-obsessed loons snuggled up with Senator Roland Burris, D-Ill., left, and his wife Berlean Burris—before security booted them from this dinner.

This screen image, above, made from Michaele Salahi’s Facebook page shows a photo of Michaele, second right, and hubby Tareq, right with Burris and his wife.

Weird.

WTTG-TV, the Fox affiliate in Washington, reported late yesterday the Salahis crashed a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Awards dinner at which Obama spoke.

The station’s Web site quoted a foundation representative, Lance Jones, as saying the Salahis were escorted out by security guards after they were caught sitting at a table. Sitting at a table?

What’s with these goofs? Are they stalking Obama?

Nuts.

(Chicago, IL) — November 30, 2009. State tax revenues nationwide to continue to evaporate.

Tax revenues dropped at least $14.3 billion nationwide in the most recent fiscal quarter, according to a study by the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government.

The Rockefeller Institute compiled data from states and it shows major tax sources were $119.7 billion in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $134.0 billion in 2008. Overall, tax revenue declined by 10.7%.

Released last week, November 23, 2009, the report reveals that Illinois has been pummelled.

Illinois is one of only ten states that racked-up double-digit drops in all three big tax categories:

• -11.7% personal income tax

• -28.4% drop in corporate income tax

• -13.1% decrease in sales tax

The data is for the period between July and September of 2009.

When Governor Pat Quinn, House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton, House Minoirity Leader Tom Cross, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno gather to carve the Illinois budget pie next year, they’ll be staring at something less than a full pie, but more like a–pop tart.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan

(Chicago, IL) — November 30, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn yesterday signed legislation that protects consumers from unauthorized telephone practice commonly known as “cramming” and praised the bill’s principal backer, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

“I applaud the Illinois Attorney General’s hard work in support of this new law, which will combat the growing problem of unauthorized telephone surcharge scams,” said Quinn.

The new law, Senate Bill 1421, amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act by prohibiting third-party service providers from charging consumers on their telephone bill unless:

• The charges and terms have been clearly disclosed.

• The consumer has expressly agreed to obtain the product or service offered.

• The service provider has provided the consumer with a toll-free contact number.

• Consumer consent must be verified by the telephone service provider before any charges are billed.

In addition, the new law requires a record of the consent and verification must be maintained by the service provider for at least two years.

The practice of “cramming” is on the rise in Illinois and Madigan has filed numerous lawsuits against companies participating in the practice.

In November 2008 Madigan filed a lawsuit against a Las Vegas-based corporation, Live Deal, alleging that, in offering Internet yellow pages listings, the company bilked small businesses in Illinois and across the country, by cramming a $35.95 monthly fee onto the unsuspecting consumer’s bills.

Senate Bill 1421, sponsored by Senator Michael Bond (D-Grayslake) and State Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion), was passed unanimously by the Illinois General Assembly. Also supporting this bill were the Illinois Commerce Commission, Illinois Telecommunications Association, AARP, Verizon, and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB).

Attending the bill signing ceremony was CUB Executive Director David Kolata, Illinois Telecommunications Association President Douglas Dougherty, and AARP’s Senior Director of Advocacy Nancy Nelson.

(Chicago, IL) — November 25, 2009. The congestion on the Illinois 2010 elections candidate and cow-pie trail is lessening and candidates and campaign staffs now are limiting their knife use to the turkeys on the table…

… Democratic candidate for Governor Dan Hynes today held a discussion about the state’s budget crisis with human service leaders at the Hotel Allegro. Hynes discussed his budget plans with advocates who are nervously eyeing next year’s already beleaguered budget.

… Hynes’ human services conflab comes on the heels of Governor Pat Quinn’s newly announced Human Services Commission which rolled-out on Monday.

Gov. Pat Quinn

The commission, a project that was 18-months in the works on the part of its backers, will be co-chaired by Toni Irving and Ngoan Le. Irving is Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of the Governor. Le is a Vice President of Programs at the Chicago Community Trust.

The Daily Herald has already cast a wary glance at Quinn’s newest creation in an editorial:

“Far be it from us to wish misfortune on a well-intentioned endeavor, but we just keep looking for something to hope for in the new Human Services Commission Gov. Patrick Quinn announced this week.”

Even a social service leader set to take a seat on the panel is equally cautious and pessimistic regarding the panel’s role given the primary campaign atmosphere in which it was birthed and that it will expire on June 30, 2010.

… Meanwhile, Quinn helped give away turkeys–the edible type–at the St. Columbanus Parish food pantry in Chicago this morning.

… Chicago City Clerk Miguel del Valle, State Representative Lisa Hernandez (D-Chicago), and other leaders in the Latino community yesterday endorsed David Hoffman’s bid for U.S. Senate.

… Condolences to Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, Jr. (D-Chicago) on the death of his father, Larry, Sr. In an e-mail yesterday to friends, Suffredin wrote:

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the death of my father Larry, Sr. yesterday. As you can see from the attached death notice, he was a man of great joy. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.

… Attorney and Democratic candidate for Illinois Governor Ed Scanlan is looking for volunteers to travel to Springfield on Friday and Saturday to help stave off a petition challenge, allegedly by supporters of Dan Hynes. Scanlan’s son, Ed, Jr. today tweeted:

“The Hynes camp will have their foot soldiers out trying to overturn every signature they can. We need each one of you who have agreed that Illinois deserves better to come help us when it counts!”

… Ben Goldberger is leaving his post as Chicago bureau chief of the Huffington Post for a new writing and reporting gig. Matt Sledge takes over from Ben. Goldberger will be missed.

… U.S. Senate hopeful Alexi Giannoulias gets our political “Thoughtful Thanksgiving Greeting Award”. Giannoulias today issued a plea for donations to the Chicago Food Depository.

“This Thanksgiving, poverty rates are at an 11-year high. And just this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that more than a million children go to bed hungry in America. In our state alone, hunger has plagued 11% of Illinoisans.

I know that your email inbox has been filled with messages from politicians, and that many of them will be asking you to contribute to their campaigns. But I don’t want you to contribute to my campaign today.

In lieu of contributing to my campaign this Thanksgiving, please consider donating instead to an organization that is working tirelessly to reduce hunger and poverty. Please donate $25, $50 or $100 to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Feeding America or the organization of your choice.

There’s an entire campaign season ahead of us when we’ll be relying on you for support. But today, millions of hungry Americans need your support.“

A class act, Alexi.

… Republican Governor candidate Dan Proft gets our political “Tasteless Thanksgiving Greeting Award”. From Proft today:

“Happy Thanksgiving from the Chicago 9. A holiday reminder of how many families have had their holidays ruined by Chicago Democrat policies. Policies advanced and supported by the nine Chicago Democrats who control $70 billion worth of government and 125,000 public sector jobs in Illinois have destroyed this state’s economy.”

Ick. Give it a rest, Dan.

… Democrat Mark Doyle, 52, has formally announced his candidacy for Illinois State Treasurer. Doyle is from Chicago.

… Happy Thanksgiving. Gobble.

State Senator Dan Rutherford

(Chicago, IL) – November 25, 2009. Republican Candidate for Illinois State Treasurer State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac) has tapped a top-flight campaign team for his 2010 statewide bid.

New York-based McLaughlin & Associates will serve as the campaign pollster and strategist, while Virginia-based Wilson Grand Communications will supply the media advisor.

McLaughlin clients have included Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Paul Wilson, who has worked with Rutherford in the past, has helped spearhead communications for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, a gaggle of U.S. Senators, and Governors.

To help finance the operation, Rutherford, who was elected to the Senate in 2002 after a 10-year stint in the Illinois House, has hired Illinois-based Lisa Wagner and Company to lead the fund raising efforts. Wagner has been instrumental in raising money for Mitt Romney’s well-financed but fizzled run for President, and former U.S. Speaker Denny Hastert.

“We have assembled an ‘A’ Team,” said Rutherford.

He has.

But Rutherford has long-been a one-man media whirl. He has regularly courted the traditional—but shrinking—news media while early and aggressively harnessing new social media platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook–currently clocking in at 3,418 fans–and courting bloggers.

Someone over 40 who gets social media. Imagine.

Rutherford, who started 2009 with $400,241 in bank, has been on a fund-raising tear across the state and faces no opponent in the GOP primary on February 2, 2010.

Next week, State Senator Pam Althoff and State Rep. Michael Tryon help Rutherford bring in some dough by headlining a fund-raising breakfast in Crystal Lake on Thursday, December 3 at 7:30 a.m.

The early political birds will gather for a some red meat-and-eggs at the 1776 Restaurant located at 397 Virginia Street.

Governor Pat Quinn

(Chicago, IL) — November 23, 2009. From the Illinois 2010 elections candidate and cow-pie trail…

… Ron Powell, President of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Local 881, announced his union’s endorsement of Governor Pat Quinn in the 2010 Illinois Democratic primary for governor at a news conference in Chicago today, Monday.

… “Governor Quinn has consistently stood strong in his position that every Illinois worker has a right to earn a living wage,” said Powell.

“From supporting living wage policies in the City of Chicago to increasing minimum ages standards for all workers, Governor Quinn has never shied away from joining in the fight to protect the rights of Local 881 members and all working families throughout Illinois.”

Quinn is a former Local 881 member.

… Comptroller and Democratic candidate for Governor Dan Hynes takes his campaign to restore fiscal responsibility in Illinois on the road to the Effingham. Hynes meets voters at the Knights of Columbus tonight Monday, at 7:00 pm.  The event will be at 1501 W Fayette Ave, Effingham, IL.

… Speaking of Hynes, the Comptroller will be holding a fund-raiser on Monday, December 7, 2009 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. The event will be held at Carpenters Hall, 50 E Erie St, Chicago.

… U.S. Democratic Senate hopeful David Hoffman is looking for friends–preferably the Facebook fan types. Hoffaman’s director of online organizing Lara Sanders recently sent a few days ago an e-mail with a Facebook friend challenge.

“We have set a goal of reaching 1,500 Facebook fans by the end of November. Click here to become our fan now!” Sanders wrote.

In the Facebook fan-race, Hoffman is lagging Alexi Giannoulias but leading Cheryl Jackson:

• Giannoulias–4,904
• Hoffman–1,193
• Jackson–213

And that’s approximately how the race will end up on February 2, 2010.

… Hoffman’s also sent out an e-mail scrounging for money ballyhooing a new poll.

“Geoff Garin, our pollster and long-time advisor to Senator Durbin, shows in a polling memo that in a general election Alexi Giannoulias loses to Mark Kirk by 17 points, and I beat Kirk by 5 points,” wrote Hoffman.

But you gotta first beat Giannoulias in Facebook fans. Priorities.

Robin Kelly

… Democratic Illinois Treasurer front-runner candidate Robin Kelly has lined-up an impressive progressive Honorary Committee for a fund-raiser at the Ann Sather restaurant on Chicago’s north side on Thursday, December 3, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Headlining Kelly’s event are: 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney and Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin in conjunction with State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, State Rep. Greg Harris, House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang, State Rep. Harry Osterman, MWRD Commissioner Debra Shore, Committeeman Carol Ronen, 43rd Ward Alderman Vi Daley, and 1st Ward Alderman Manny Flores.

… Democrat Ed Mullen, who seeking the state House seat being vacated by John Fritchey on Chicago’s north side, had a busy weekend, canvassing the district’s neighborhoods and knocking on 750 doors, which pushes his total to almost 5,000 doors hit. Mullen also picked 6 new campaign volunteers. Mullen faces Ann Williams and Dan Farley in the Democratic primary. Scott Tucker is unopposed in the GOP primary.

… Metropolitan Water Reclamation District candidate Todd Connor has a fund-raiser chaired by Robert Kohl, Amy Maggio, Clark Pellett, David Ormsby, and businessman Philip Palmer at Palmer’s Lake Shore Drive über-luxe apartment on Thursday, December 3, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Out come the Guccio loafers. Oo là là.

… Democratic candidate Julie Hamos in Illinois’ tony 10th congressional district has a new television bio ad hitting the airwaves. The spot does justice to Hamos.

… Illinois Republican Governor candidate State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) rolled out an education plan last week that was part thoughtful, part reckless, and part pointless. The thoughtful part calls for more charter schools, the reckless aims to financially starve state local schools through vouchers, and the pointless seeks to abolish the State Board of Education–that’s just pushing the deck chairs off the Titantic.

Oh, well. Can’t have everything.

The Brady Plan highlights:

• Eliminating the numerical and geopgraphic cap on charter schools in Illinois. Current legislation limits the number of charter schools to 120 at one time — 70 in Chicago, 45 for the rest of the state and 5 devoted to re-enrolled high school drop-outs.

• Increasing tuition tax credits by 50 percent a year. As it stands now, an eligible Illinois household can receive a maximum $500 in education expense tax credits a year.

• Empowering school boards by action or parents by referendum to open their school district to vouchers, allowing state tax dollars to follow the student. The voucher would be at a minimum level equal to the pupil state support of that school district.

• Allowing every high school student in Illinois the opportunity to achieve in their high school years a two-year associate degree through cooperative efforts between the state’s 49 community college districts and regional offices of education.

• Abolishing the State Board of Education.

… Democratic State Representative candidate Jeff Smith, who is angling for the Evanston House seat being relinquished by Julie Hamos, has a birthday fund-raiser at Tommy Nevin’s Pub, 1450 Sherman Ave, Evanston, Wednesday, on December 9, 6:00 p.mm-8:00 p.m

… Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos has a fund-raiser at Bourbon Street, 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 West 115th Street, Merrionette Park from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Secretary of State Jesse White is the Honorary Chair, and 19th Ward Alderman Virginia Rugai, Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin, and Committeeman Matt O’Shea, Committeeman Michael Looney headline the event host committee. A party.

State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago)

(Chicago, IL) – November 23, 2009. The Chicago Board of Elections dismissed a challenge to the candidacy of David Schroeder that clears the way for Schroeder to face incumbent State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago) in the Democratic primary for the 5th legislative district seat on February 2, 2010.

Shroeder, an attorney, will be Dunkin’s first Democratic challenger since he was elected in 2002.

“The voters deserve a choice,” said Schroeder. “Election after election, Ken Dunkin and his allies have successfully prevented other candidates from appearing on the ballot. This year, voters will finally get their say on who will represent them.”

Under Illinois law, a Democratic candidate for the State House of Representatives must submit a petition with the signatures of 500 or more Democratic voters from the district to appear on the ballot. Schroeder filed 1,963 signatures.

Under Illinois law, any citizen can challenge the petitions and petition signatures of any candidate. Dunkin’s allies challenged Schroeder’s petitions and those of a third candidate, Gwendolyn Drake.

An examination of the voter registration records was called off after staff from the Chicago Board of Elections examined only the first 33 sheets of 146 sheets filed.

Charles Holiday, the Board’s assistant manager for registration, noted that the limited examination conclusively determined that Schroeder submitted 603 signatures more than the minimum required.

“Continuing the records examination would only put the candidate further over that minimum,” Holiday wrote.

“The people who live in the 5th District want new representation,” said Schroeder campaign manager Erik Wallenius. “Dunkin has been an ineffective voice in Springfield, voting for the interests of his political cronies rather than the best interests of his constituents.”

Dunkin was the only state representative to skip the vote to impeach former Governor Rod Blagojevich, voted against tougher penalties for gang recruitment and gang activity, and voted against lowering the Cook County sales tax.