Ode to the Campaigner

To all campaigners, everyone who's ever managed a phone bank, supervised a field canvass, battled rain or snow or sweat putting up yard signs, or listened to a candidate whine about how hard THEY are working for six months and then bask alone on the stage:

"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights."

from TIME Magazine:

Muhammad Ali turns 67 next year.

For those of us born in 1960 or later, that is the new retirement age.

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Removed, but not forgotten

Former Rep. Larry McKeon didn't get around to posting much on his blog, or cross-posting here. He told me he was warned by the Blagojevich administration that blogging would be detrimental to seeing his bills become laws. That stern warning kept him from posting all that much while he was in office, and continued while he was lobbying. I left his name up anyway in case he changed his mind.

Anyway I couldn't just remove his site from the blogroll without saying something about him. I miss him all the time. Man, this is much harder than I thought it would be. Goodbye, Larry.

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DuPage County Board Salaries Make McHenry County's Look Low

Remember the article I worte about the pay for McHenry County Board members?

Thursday, the Chicago Tribune ran an article by Joseph Sjostrom entitled, “DuPage County Board freezes most members' salaries”

Here's the paragraph I find stunning:

“All 18 board members will make $50,079 this year. The six members elected in 2006 receive raises in 2009 and in 2010, bringing their salaries to $51,581 in 2009 and $53,645 in 2010.”

These folks have also been receiving $3,000 for being a committee chairman and $1,000 for serving as vice chairman.

Talk about being able to buy support of county board members!

That has been canceled.

Here's what Lake County Board members say they are worth.

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GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - June 3, 2008

USA TODAY
-- Conservatives, fear not Election Day is looming. But the Grand Old Party had gone off the rails, anyway - and that’s hardly an indictment of conservatism. In fact, given a chance, liberalism might simply shine a light on the wisdom of another way. - Jonah Goldberg
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/06/conservatives-f.html#more
(DIERSEN QUESTION: Who has caused most of the Republican Party's problems? Republican elected officials and party leaders who a) reject most or all of the party's platform and blame the party's problems on conservatives and on conservatism or b) say that they are conservative but take anti-conservative actions and work against real conservatives?)

CBS2
-- Another Showdown Over State Budget On Horizon - Mike Flannery
http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/illinois.state.budget.2.738947.html (Includes video clip)

ABC7
-- Gov: Budget about $2 billion 'out of whack' - Paul Meincke
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6180042

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Governor wants lawmakers to reconsider budget - David Mendell
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/06/governor-wants.html
-- Blagojevich says legislature must trim $60 billion budget plan Governor calls for talks with state leaders to cut $2 billion - David Mendell
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blagojun03,0,5670565.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: How soon will Illinois Democrats introduce a bill that lets anyone who votes for Democrats get free rides?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-freerides_03jun03,0,1881109.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Pfleger, who by his words and by actions has made it clear that he wants everyone to hate whites, says that racism is the "greatest sin."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-pfleger_03jun03,0,3163002.story

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Falsani promotes Pfleger
http://www.suntimes.com/news/falsani/983975,CST-NWS-fals03.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Chicago Sun-Times promotes Pfleger
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/984196,CST-EDT-edit03.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Mary Mitchell says you are a racial fearmonger if you don't promote Obama and his wife
http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/983927,CST-NWS-mitch03.article
-- Gov optimistic about reaching budget deal Says measure sent to him by Legislature is 'out of whack' by $2 billion - Steve Patterson
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/983820,CST-NWS-blago03.article

CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- Guv bats budget ball back to lawmakers - Greg Hinz
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=29654&seenIt=1

DAILY HERALD
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PHOTO OF BLAGOJEVICH: Governor has things to add on ethics Blagojevich won't sign, wants to rewrite bill - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=201996&src=4
-- Should power to pardon be limited? - Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=201931&src=
-- City manager Don Rose gets pay raise in Wheaton "will now earn $170,000 a year with a $17,500 annual contribution from city coffers into Rose's deferred compensation plan" - Jim Fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=202071&src=2

ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH
-- VERY SAD: Missouri GOP stalwarts buck party on embryonic cell research - Jo Mannies
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/politics/story/E4832B4FE9E4A43E8625745D0010F49F?OpenDocument

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
-- State budge is unconstitutional says GOP's Cross Unbalanced state budget may stem from trust issue - Chuck Sweeny
http://www.rrstar.com/news/columnists/x1208367787/State-budget-is-unconstitutional-says-GOPs-Cross
-- That’s no budget; it’s a poorly played political game - Editorial
http://www.rrstar.com/opinions/x446403533/That-s-no-budget-it-s-a-poorly-played-political-game

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
-- Blagojevich praises ethics bill -- perhaps to smother it? - Kevin McDermott
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/06/02/news/doc4844b24f244e2398058897.txt

WSILTV
-- Blagojevich Calls Budget Plan Unconstitutional
http://www.wsiltv.com/p/news_details.php?newsID=4948&type=top

THE SOUTHERN
-- Poshard calls on Illinois leaders to reach agreement on construction bill - Scott Fitzgerald
http://www.thesouthern.com/articles/2008/06/02/breaking_news/doc484478ef6e819251946625.txt
-- Illinois budget battle may continue post session - Kevin McDermott
http://www.thesouthern.com/articles/2008/06/02/breaking_news/doc48446e9eee751317168143.txt
-- Construction program's House failure draws anger - Kurt Erickson
http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/06/03/front_page/24661731.txt

JOURNAL GAZETTE TIMES COURIER
-- Righter, Rose, Flider must be 'rebuked' for opposing pay hike and demanding state budget be balanced - Harry Reynolds
http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2008/06/03/opinion/columns/doc4844b9456f2d1541469872.txt

CITY PAGES
-- Minnesota Republicans out Franken on lesbian jokes
http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2008/06/minnesota_repub.php

SUBURBAN LIFE
-- 23rd Senate District: Cullerton appeals removal from ballot - Dan Petrella
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/downersgrove/archive/x1427983044/Cullerton-appeals-removal-from-ballot

WLS 890
-- Obama to Trinity: It's Not You, It's Me - Dan Proft
http://www.wlsam.com/Article.asp?id=728072&spid=17432

DAILY ILLINI
-- Blagojevich: Budget plan fails due to huge deficit Proposed spending plan $2.1 billion above revenues
http://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2008/06/03/News/Blagojevich.Budget.Plan.Fails.Due.To.Huge.Deficit-3377867.shtml

CARMI TIMES
-- Democrats happy with budget; Republicans differ
http://www.carmitimes.com/articles/2008/06/02/news/news1.txt

THE SOUTHERN
-- Pay hikes not funded in budget, but raises would come anyway - John O'Connor
http://www.thesouthern.com/articles/2008/06/02/ap-state-il/d9124vf80.txt
-- Poshard: Work out bill issues - Scott Fitzgerald
http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/06/03/front_page/24662112.txt

TOM ROESER
-- Comments on the Media
http://www.tomroeser.com/blogs/blogview.asp?blogID=24602

TOWN HALL
-- VERY VERY VERY SAD: The Gay Activists Are Headed For The Churches - Harry R. Jackson, Jr.
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/HarryRJacksonJr/2008/06/02/the_gay_activists_are_headed_for_the_churches?page=2
-- Pfleger, Politics, and Pizza - Cal Thomas
http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/CalThomas/2008/06/03/pfleger,_politics,_and_pizza

HUMAN EVENTS
-- The Way Back to a Republican Majority is to the Right - Mike Pence
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=26770

NATIONAL REVIEW
-- Obama: The Tracks of His Record Irrelevant apologies. - Thomas Sowell
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YTc1Y2NmNWMyNDEyNWNiY2NhMTk0Mzc4YzIyN2I4MzU=

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
-- Obama's Loyalty to Liberation Theology - Father Jonathan Morris
http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/06/02/obamas-loyalty-to-liberation-theology/
-- OUTRAGEOUS: Obama's Ex-Church Has Won $15 Million in Federal Grant Money - Jeff Goldblatt
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/02/obamas-ex-church-has-won-15m-in-federal-grant-money/

BLOOMBERG
-- Obama's Focus on Faith Offers Promise, Pitfalls for Democrats - Julianna Goldman and Kim Chipman
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aq5fX9T6K_qU&refer=home

WASHINGTON TIMES
-- November sit-out threats worry GOP - S.A. Miller
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jun/03/november-sit-out-threats-worry-gop/
-- The corpse still won't lie down - Wesley Pruden
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jun/03/the-corpse-still-wont-lie-down/

TENNESSEAN
-- McCain talks social issues in Nashville visit Conservatives quiz GOP presidential candidate during town hall meeting - Brad Schrade and Theo Emery
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080603/NEWS0201/806030346/1009/NEWS01

BOSTON GLOBE
-- Trouble signs as Obama closes in Doubts on extent of his appeal; Signals are mixed on Clinton plans - Scott Helman
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/06/03/trouble_signs_as_obama_closes_in/

SEATTLE TIMES
-- OUTSTANDING: Washington State GOP: No automatic citizenship for kids born in U.S. to illegal immigrants - Andrew Garber
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004450665_gop01m.html

CHICAGO PRIDE
-- VERY SAD: Chicago Pride Parade Grand Marshal Announced
http://www.chicagopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/5797321

EYEBLAST TV
-- A video portrait of Obama
http://www.eyeblast.tv/Public/Video.aspx?rsrcID=2036

CONGRESSMAN PETER ROSKAM
-- Playing Politics with Veteran Benefits
http://roskam.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=92580

STATE REPRESENTATIVE RANDY RAMEY
-- Ramey Strongly Opposes Bloated Spending Plan for FY09
http://www.randyramey.org/docs/release2008-06-02-01.pdf

ANDY MARTIN
-- Martin chastises Illinois Republican leaders for having created Barack Obama. Andy says Republican decline in the City of Chicago endangers Republican suburban strength. Martin creates a court record of corruption within the Illinois Republican Party, will fight to nullify results of State convention.
http://www.pr-inside.com/andy-martin-wins-partial-court-victory-r621441.htm

WISCONSIN REPUBLICAN PARTY
-- Republican Party of Wisconsin 2008 Platform
http://www.wisgop.org/FlexPage.aspx?area=platform
-- Newt Gingrich addresses the Wisconsin GOP Convention
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUkk2jLIr5g

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Shameless

Proving the adage that desperate people in desperate situations say desperate things, the Governor once again showed that he will never let the facts get in the way of him speaking his mind.

Today's target - me. During his press conference today, the Governor was asked about his intentions with respect to the pay-to-play legislation that he never wanted to see but which is now sitting on his desk.

No longer able to hide behind Carol Ronen's or Rebecca Rausch's pantsuits, but not wanting people to pay attention to 800-pound gorilla (aka the U.S. Attorney) that is hovering over him, the Governor had to attack me on his own. Let's break down what he said:

Blagojevich: "(Fritchey) is currently a paid lobbyist for the payday loan industry."

Facts: In 2006, I was retained as counsel by Cash America to apply for a variation to open a pawn shop in the Little Village community in Chicago. The application was heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals, which is comprised of an architect, two lawyers and a minister. After multiple hearings, the application was approved. Records of both the client and the specifics of my engagement were filed with the Chicago Board of Ethics.

Blagojevich: "He gets paid by the payday loan industry and has actually voted on the House floor, on 3 separate occasions, in favor of his paying client."

Facts: I have been working on reforming the payday loan for nearly a decade, having filed one of the first payday loan reform bills in our state's history (with former Rep. Tom Dart), and continue that work to this day, working with colleagues such as Reps. Miller and Hamos, and groups such as Citizen Action. If the Governor isn't aware of the work that I've done on this issue, then he just hasn't been paying attention. Big surprise there.

Facts: In 2005, I was honored to receive the Monsignor John Egan Campaign for Payday Loan Reform Leadership Award for my efforts on behalf of HB1100 (the Payday Loan Reform Act of 2005). At the time, one of the presenters was kind enough to say the following: "Representative Fritchey’s leadership and support was crucial to the passage of House Bill 1100,” stated Lynda DeLaforgue, codirector of Citizen Action/Illinois. “His work to put an end to abusive payday lending practices will greatly impact the working families of Illinois.”

Blagojevich: "That can't possibly be ethical. Whether it's legal or not remains a question."

Facts: Apparently, the Governor wouldn't know ethics if it hit him upside his head with his own hairbrush. What isn't ethical is making a deliberate effort to deceive the public through misleading statements about me in order to try to protect his fundraising juggernaut, which has raised countless millions from individuals and businesses who just 'happened' to wind up with fortunes in state contracts.

And the only legal questions he should be looking at right now involve his own activities.

Facts: Every Senator and every Representative and every major editorial board support cutting the ties between the Governor's fundraising and state contracts through this specific piece of legislation. So try as he may to tarnish me, there are a whole lot of Illinoisans (about 12 million) that want to see this bill signed. As is.

I hope that, in the future, he's more careful about his statements. Especially if they're under oath.

To read or post comments, visit Open House

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REFORM ADVOCATES CALL ON GOV. BLAGOJEVICH TO STOP ACCEPTING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM STATE CONTRACTORS

Cross posted from ICPR's blog, The Race is On:

The leaders of seven Illinois government reform organizations urged Gov. Rod Blagojevich to sign House Bill 824, which would limit pay-to-play opportunities in state contracting and called on Blagojevich to stop soliciting and accepting contributions from state contractors.

The House passed the legislation Saturday by a vote of 114 to 0. The Senate earlier approved the bill on a vote of 56 to 0.

"Illinois taxpayers are fed up with corruption in state government and the high cost of pay-to-play contracting," said Cynthia Canary, Director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. "Passage of this bill signals legislators are coming to grips with the damage that has been done to public confidence in the fairness of state government. If Gov. Blagojevich really does believe in ending 'business as usual,' he will sign this bill and direct his campaign committee - immediately - to stop soliciting and accepting contributions from state contractors."

In a letter to Blagojevich, the reform advocates noted that the five other statewide officeholders have policies against accepting contributions from contractors doing business with their offices. If signed into law, HB 824 would take effect January 1, 2009, but Blagojevich should put the policy into effect for his campaign organization immediately, according to the advocates.

The letter was signed by the Better Government Association, Common Cause Illinois, Illinois PIRG, the Sunshine Project, the Citizen Advocacy Center, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and Protestants for the Common Good.

A copy of the letter is attached. More information about HB 824 is available at www.ilcampaign.org.

To download a copy of the letter, please visit ICPR's blog.

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Sign Here

The Tribune echoes my post of the other day urging the Governor to simply sign the pay to play ban, but not surprisingly, they said it in a much more eloquent manner.

There is one thing the legislature did do right. It sent to the governor an ethics bill.

Yes, you heard right. An ethics bill. In Illinois. Pick yourself off the floor. It's not law yet. The governor apparently has his own mischief in mind...

It's a good bill. But Blagojevich has been warming up a familiar ruse: He's been hinting that, instead of signing the bill, he'll send it back to lawmakers with "improvements" they won't be able to swallow. In Springfield, that's called "loving a bill to death."

It's transparently bogus...

Blagojevich could save himself some embarrassment—and maybe even regain some trust of Democrats and Republicans—if he would just sign the bill.

Politics being what it is, I completely understand and accept the Governor trying to spin the issue to take shots at me. (The fact that his spin is wholly misleading and unrelated to the issue at hand is just par for the course. Although, with Carol Ronen off collecting her super-sized pension, and Ronen v2.0, aka Rebecca Rausch, now off the clock, it remains to seen who the Governor will call in from the attack dog bullpen. )

The bill has a January 1 effective date, which means that any amendatory veto would still be overridden in time to keep the bill on track to go into law when the General Assembly intended. In light of this, any attempts to rewrite the bill amount to a futile effort to delay the inevitable.

But putting our differences aside, the Governor signing the bill would not only be the right thing for him to do, it would go a long way in showing that he has the ability to do the right thing when it is put in front of him.

One day, he'll be gone. One day, I'll be gone. But before that happens, pay to play politics should be gone as well.

To read or post comments, visit Open House

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GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - June 2, 2008

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH 6X11.5-INCH COLOR PHOTO OF PFLEGER: Pfleger: 'I am deeply sorry' Priest contrite about making fun of Hillary, cites hate mail - Francine Knowles
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/982353,CST-NWS-priest02.article
-- Lynn Sweet talks about Pfleger with Greta Van Susteren host of Fox News "On the Record"
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/06/lynn_sweet_talks_about_pfleger.html (Video clip)
-- VERY SAD: Illinois Debt
http://media1.suntimes.com/multimedia/statedebt060208.pdf_20080602_01_14_46_299.imageContent
-- Blagojevich's political troubles turn radioactive - Dave McKinney
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/982592,blagoweb060208.article
-- One plan to fix state's debt: Get workers to give back Civic leaders say state needs to spend less on pension programs, health care for union workers. Union leader says that's 'like blaming the victim' - David Roeder
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/982422,CST-NWS-state02.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: By continuing to promote the anti-conservative George Ryan, Jim Thompson provides even more proof of his anti-conservatism
http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/982544,CST-EDT-open02x.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: By promoting gay marriage, the Chicago Sun-Times promotes homosexual activity, again
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/982543,CST-EDT-edit02.article

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Fran Eaton endorses Steve Rauschenberger for Illinois Republican Party (IRP) National Committeeman and Kathy Salvi for IRP National Committeewoman
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/06/a-personal-endo.html
-- Illinois Gambling's Star GOPers - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/06/il-gamblings-st.html

ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY
-- Pat Brady Political Resume
http://www.digitalvictorycms.com/_uploaded/282607-Patrick%20M.%20Brady.pdf
-- Steve Rauschenberger Biography
http://www.digitalvictorycms.com/_uploaded/492450-Steve%20Rauschenberger.pdf
-- Demetra DeMonte
http://www.digitalvictorycms.com/_uploaded/586033-Demetra%20DeMonte.pdf
-- Carol Smith Donovan
http://www.digitalvictorycms.com/_uploaded/346912-Carol%20Smith%20Donovan.pdf
-- Kathy Salvi
http://www.digitalvictorycms.com/_uploaded/930691-Kathy%20Salvi.pdf

CHAMPION NEWS
-- Illinois GOP makes up rules to disenfranchise Republicans - Doug Ibendahl
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1015
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The State Party's Convention Committee on Rules and Procedures met and adopted rules for this convention on May 14th (read them here). Unfortunately, the State Party chose not to make those rules available to Republicans until late in the day this past Wednesday (May 28th). By that time the specified deadline (May 26th) for making changes to the delegate slates had already expired. The rules also contain some other little provisions like "All convention signage, other than Illinois Republican Party signage, shall be approved in advance by the Committee on Arrangements." One has to wonder what the review criteria might be in that committee. No doubt a lot will depend on who is asking. But the points above are small ones compared to the rules' main focus. The just published rules are mostly about one thing - ensuring that many fewer delegates get to Decatur than otherwise would. Here's what happened. A petty few at our State Party have set up an artificial residency test with absolutely no legal authority. They are trying to say Chicago Ward and Township Committeemen in Cook County (80 committeemen in all) can only choose delegates who live in that particular ward or township. But that's not what Illinois law says.)

EXTREME WISDOM
-- Obama's "Sister Souljah" Campaign - Bruno Behrend
http://www.extremewisdom.com/?p=1204

ABC7
-- Father Pfleger apologizes for Clinton comments
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6178586 (Includes video clip)
-- Obama quits church after long controversy
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/politics&id=6177449 (Includes video clip)

NBC5
-- Obama Quits Chicago Church; Priest Apologizes
http://www.nbc5.com/news/16446659/detail.html?dl=mainclick (Includes video clip)
-- VIDEO CLIP: Ahern interviews Roskam
http://video.nbc5.com/player/?id=257412&dl=mainclick (Part 1)
http://video.nbc5.com/player/?id=257414 (Part 2)

CBS2
-- Obama Leaves Trinity Amid Pfleger Controversy
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/barack.obama.jeremiah.2.737594.html (Includes video clip)
-- McClellan: Bush Should Have Fired Rove
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/mcclellan.bush.rove.2.738086.html

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VIDEO CLIP: Proft and Cliff Kelly discuss Pfleger
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/myfox/pages/News;jsessionid=22DDC77F72B96F8D78F399A442503022?pageId=3.1

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Lawmakers avoid tough decisions on new Illinois budget - Christopher Wills
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-xgr-statebudget-a,0,6758446.story
-- End to spring session may be short-lived for Illinois lawmakers A total veto of $60 million state budget by governor would bring legislators back to the capital - Rick Pearson and Ray Long
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-legis-02-jun02,0,4652945.story
-- Rev. Michael Pfleger apologizes for sermon at Sen. Barack Obama's former church Faithful at St. Sabina stand by pastor; Trinity flock react to senator's departure - Manya A. Brachear and Tara Malone
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-pastor-02-jun02,0,3775748.story
-- Blagojevich and the budget: Get just one thing right - Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0602edit3jun02,0,5369321.story
-- With friends like these . . . Obama doesn't need enemies - Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-0602edit1jun02,0,2711399.story
-- Lost left replaces socialism with environmentalism - Charles Krauthammer
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-oped0602krauthammerjun02,0,3363412.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: OUTRAGEOUS: Associated Press argues that a candidate cannot be a conservative and a pragmatist at the same time
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-california-primary,0,3948766.story

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Raises? Senate Dems are NOT right on the money - Rich Miller
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/miller/982027,060208miller.article

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Bomke, Brauer, Poe rip budget Lawmakers say there’s little to show for efforts - Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/x396299393/Bomke-Brauer-Poe-rip-budget

DAILY HERALD
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Greg Newlin of Naperville tries to rebut Bob Graham
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=200757&src=
-- Critics are wrong - the economy's strong - Robert Graham, Naperville
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=200981&src=
-- "Other than normalization of homosexuality, the only reason for the drive for homosexual "marriage" is found in the phrase, "extension of legal benefits to all persons who cohabit." They want society to pay for the very high medical costs associated with homosexual activity. All other benefits are easily available to everyone by existing legal procedures." - Emmit Lehman, Grayslake
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=200707&src=
-- Editorial conflicts with 'fear God' vow "Upon reading Opinion on May 19, I saw a quote "Our aim: to fear God, tell the truth and make money" right above your view on same-sex unions. I hope Editorial Page Editor John Zimmerman will check into this unsigned editorial if he does fear God as he is attesting to. God said homosexuality is an abomination. I cannot believe that all eight editorial board members are in compliance with this idea. I will sign my article as requested." - Nancy R. Herman, Elk Grove Village
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=200528&src=
-- Immigration raid spurs calls for action against company owners - AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=201628

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
-- Illinois Constitution requires balanced budget - Aaron Chambers
http://www.rrstar.com/communities/x923092283/Illinois-Constitution-requires-balanced-budget
-- Feud between speaker, governor plays role in capital plan delay Madigan says ‘trust problem’ with Blagojevich is causing the holdup. - Aaron Chambers
http://www.rrstar.com/communities/x765550385/Feud-between-speaker-governor-plays-role-in-capital-plan-delay

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
-- Legislature approves unbalanced budget Governor will have to close $2 billion deficit
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x99499550/Legislature-approves-unbalanced-budget
-- Capital bill stalls in Illinois House Critic says $34 billion public works proposal not specific enough - Doug Finke
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x99499548/Capital-bill-stalls-in-Illinois-House
-- Governor weighs budget proposal During rare visit to the House, Blagojevich asks Peoria Rep. Aaron Schock what he would do - Adriana Colindres and Megan Sexton
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1056105779/Governor-weighs-budget-proposal

DAILY ILLINI
-- Lawmakers getting out of dodge - Editorial
http://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2008/06/02/Editorials/Lawmakers.Getting.Out.Of.Dodge-3377546.shtml

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Better than Ahern with Roskam, Berkowitz with State Rep. Candidate Joan Solms on Immigration, taxes and abortion
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/06/better-than-ahern-with-roskam-berkowitz.html

POLITICO
-- Matt Drudge: The GOP’s unreliable ally - Johnathan Martin & Benn Smith
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/10744.html

NATIONAL REVIEW
-- No Liberation Barack Obama can run, but his ties to Trinity and its radical political and theology roots are deep. - Stanley Kurtz
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NDkyZTNiZDdkMTNiNzViZTYxNDU0MTY4MzMzMzNmZDU=

FRONT PAGE MAGAZINE
-- Obama’s Newest Pastor Problem - Jacob Laksin
http://frontpagemagazine.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=F95FD11B-E9B6-49C5-AD5D-6924E21D6CD2

NEWS DAY
-- New York: Paterson makes same-sex marriages bigger issue - Dan Janison
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/politics/ny-lijani025711202jun02,0,3014768.story

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
-- Church laments Barack Obama's leaving the congregation - Michael Saul
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/06/02/2008-06-02_church_laments_barack_obamas_leaving_the.html

NEW YORK TIMES
-- Governor Bobby Jindal: In Louisiana, Inklings of a New (True) Champion of the Right - Adam Nossiter
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/02/us/02jindal.html?_r=1&sq=jindal&st=cse&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&scp=1&adxnnlx=1212405579-/To1iTAzxjPvOShi2V3eGg

WASHINGTON POST
-- Pfleger Again Apologizes For Remarks In Sermon Statement Follows Decision By Obama to Leave Church - Shailagh Murray and Hamil R. Harris
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/01/AR2008060102186.html?hpid=topnews

WASHINGTON TIMES
-- Obama General Merrill McPeak: McCain weak on security - Rowan Scarborough
http://www.washtimes.com/news/2008/jun/02/general-mccain-weak-on-security/

LOS ANGELES TIMES
-- Plenty of soul-searching at Obama's former church At services the day after the Democratic presidential candidate resigned from the parish, the faithful are weary of politics and the media -- and mourn the loss of a favored son. - P.J. Huffstutter
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-trinity2-2008jun02,0,5926058.story

REUTERS
-- Can Obama remain "churchless"? - Ed Stoddard
http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/06/01/can-obama-remain-churchless/

UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
-- Rove: GOP needs to court undecided voters
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Business/2008/06/01/rove_gop_needs_to_court_undecided_voters/2886/

ABC NEWS
-- Spokesman: Obama Decision to Leave Church Not Politically Motivated
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/06/spokesman-obama.html

AFP
-- Obama's former church seeks to step beyond controversy
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iAvT4LxG_rYzG0gWwPXirJL8f1VA

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- VERY SAD: Farm Vote, Usually Supportive of GOP, May Swing to Obama - Corey Boles
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121236914379136639.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

TIME MAGAZINE
-- Obama's Church Moves On After Exit - Stephen Gray
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1811069,00.html?imw=Y

WURFWHILE
-- Harmon, Froehlich Bill Provides DuPage Candidates With Equal Ballot Access
http://www.wurfwhile.com/blog/2008/06/01/harmon-froehlich-bill-provides-dupage-candidates-with-equal-ballot-access/

WINDY CILTY MEDIA GROUP
-- OCTOBER 24, 2004 FLASHBACK: VERY SAD: Odyssey of a Gay Republican in Illinois - Andrew Davis
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=6476

LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS ILLINOIS
-- VERY SAD: "Below are the platform recommendations sent by the board of directors of the Log Cabin Republicans of Illinois to the state Republican Party Platform Committee and other party leaders. These will be debated at the state GOP convention from June 6-7, 2008 in Decatur."
http://www.logcabin.org/lcrchicago/2008_il_gop_platform.html

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Mike Tryon Tries to Boost Name Identification

I think it was Mother's Day that I first noticed that Crystal Lake's Republican State Representative Mike Tryon had billboards up.

He must be nervous.

I have never seen billboards for a candidate put up SIX months before election day.

Billboards are used primarily to boost name identification.

My guess is that a poll for Tryon indicated that he has abnormally low name identification.

The reason is probably because he never had an opponent in a Republican primary election.

This spring, Tryon's Democratic Party opponent Robert Kaempfe got more votes than Tryon, the first time that has ever happened in McHenry County.

= = = = =

The head shot is of Democratic Party candidate for state representative Robert Kaempfe. He lives in Coventry in Crystal Lake.

Posted first on McHenry County Blog.

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GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - June 1, 2008

CBS2
-- Political Buzz: State Budget OK'd, Obama Resigns - Mike Flannery
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/state.budget.session.2.737465.html (Includes video clip)
-- Obama Resigns 20-Year Church Membership - AP
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/barack.obama.Trinity.2.737576.html (Includes video clip)
-- Record Number Of Bloggers Allowed At Democrat Convention - AP
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/bloggers.Democratic.National.2.737679.html

ABC7
-- Lawmakers prepare to pass budget, go home - AP
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6177447 (Includes video clip)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Obama quits Chicago church steeped in controversy - Tom Raum
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-obama,0,5575263.story
-- Obama leaving his church - John McCormick and Manya A. Brachear
http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2008/05/cnn_obama_leaving_his_church.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-obama-churchjun01,0,5752605.story
-- Illinois legislators send new budget to governor - Rick Pearson and Ray Long
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-legis-01-bdjun01,0,1235954.story
-- 'Pay-to-play' ban is passed State budget also sent to Blagojevich, but capital plan stalls - Ray Long and Jeffrey Meitrodt
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-new-legis01jun01,0,543873.story
-- Lawmakers back campaign cash crackdown - Ray Long and Ashley Wiehle
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/05/lawmakers-back.html
-- McCain & Obama: Misplaced disdain Candidates' attacks may come back at them - Steve Chapman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0601chapmanjun01,0,6389509.column
-- THE TOWN YOU LIVE IN SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOU: VERY SAD: 'Swingtown,' sex and the suburbs: Winnetka writer brings risque business to CBS - Maureen Ryan
http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/swingtown/index.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Barack Obama quits Trinity United Church of Christ - Lynn Sweet
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/981141,obama053108.article
-- Rev. Pfleger: 'They want to kill me . . . it's been ugly' - Dave Newbart
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/981215,pfleger053108.article
-- Gospel of derision sullies rebel priest Pfleger - Carol Marin
http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/980609,CST-EDT-carol01.article
-- The Pfleger we know well shocks nation Trash-talking suits priest's purpose -- but not Obama's - Mark Brown
http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/980739,CST-NWS-brown01.article
-- Gov gets 'pay to play' ban, warning not to change it - Dave McKinney
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/981725,CST-NWS-ethics01.article
-- VERY SAD: BILL CLINTON LEGACY: News to parents: Your kids are already having oral sex - William Saletan
http://www.slate.com/id/2192260/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Every day, thousands of parents sit down with their children to talk about the facts of life. They want their kids to know how babies are made, how serious sex is, and how they can protect themselves. For most of us, the topic is awkward enough without getting into advanced stuff. That's why the coverage of President Clinton's affairs felt like such a cultural assault. We just want to stick to the basics. Well, you can kiss that era of innocence goodbye. I'm not talking about your kids' innocence. I'm talking about yours. For your information, Mom and Dad, oral sex is now more basic than vaginal sex. That may not be part of God's or nature's plan. But according to survey data, it's a fact of life.)

DAILY HERALD
-- Ethics deal faces uncertain future on governor's desk - Amber Krosel
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=201239&src=5
-- Suburban roll call on Senate lottery vote - John Patterson
http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/139
-- Not all Germans supported Nazis - Rita Heisler, Hoffman Estates
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=200601&src=

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Legislators OK budget, head home Blagojevich must balance it - Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/x2031261089/Legislators-OK-budget-head-home

ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH
-- Illinois lawmakers may put budget burden on governor - Kevin McDermott and Kathleen Haughney
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/420ECF6437FBBA688625745B00078B70?OpenDocument

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
-- Don't give ex-governor a pass Were president to commute Ryan's sentence, it would send wrong message to anything-goes Illinois - Editorial
http://www.pjstar.com/opinions/x491731183/Dont-give-ex-governor-a-pass

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
-- State budget passes; bleeding red - Scott Reeder
http://daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=421628
-- Lawmakers hold showdown over ethics in Springfield - Adrea Zelinski
http://daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=421629
-- House Democrats' mistrust scuttles capital budget - Stephanie Sievers
http://daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=421640

COURIER NEWS
-- Budget woe: Source of cash - Ryan Keith
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/981533,3_1_EL01_A1BUDGET_S1.article

QUAD CITY TIMES
-- $59 billion budget deal OK'd by Illinois General Assembly - Mike Riopell and Kartikay Mehrotra
http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2008/05/31/news/illinois/doc48420827ef52f452661343.txt?sPos=2
-- Support for statewide construction plan crumbling in Illinois - Kurt Erickson
http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2008/05/31/news/illinois/doc4842079bd0f8f938671783.txt?sPos=2

SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN
-- State's solution to problems is simple: Keep asking for money - Kurt Erickson
http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/05/31/opinions/guest_columns/24640804.txt

NORTHWEST HERALD
-- Lawmakers send one of two spending bills to governor - Ryan Keith
http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2008/05/31/news/state/doc4841b47972749586213444.txt

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- Taking a piece of the tax pie First payments due Monday, here's where money is going - Paige Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/981266,6_1_NA01_TAX_S1.article
-- VERY SAD: It wasn't always about 'Sex' Naperville mom of 'Sex and the City' star says, 'He's doing what he loves' - Paige Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/981352,6_1_NA01_SEXINTHECITY_S1.article

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Roads, bridges and more casinos on the way to Illinois - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/05/roads-bridges-a.html

CAPITALFAX
-- We have a budget, but no construction plan - Bethany Jaeger
http://capitalfax.blogspot.com/2008/06/we-have-budget-but-no-construction-plan.html

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Obama finally gets it and quits Trinity Church; Anderson and Abrams still in a fog, blaming it all on Fox - Jeff Berkowitz
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/05/obama-finally-gets-it-and-quits-trinity.html

TOM ROESER
-- A Federal Solution to the Blagojevich Problem . . . In the Chicago Way, the Fr. Pfleger Problem Hits the Party First, then the Church.
http://www.tomroeser.com/blogs/blogview.asp?blogID=24597

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
-- How McCain Can Win - Steven Stark
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/05/how_mccain_can_win.html

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
-- Scrutiny of Obama's Congregation Could Set Tone For Future Elections - Judson Berger
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/05/31/scrutiny-of-obamas-congregation-could-set-tone-for-future-elections/
-- Obama's Church Woes - Bonney Kapp
http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/05/31/obamas-church-woes/
-- Obama Sets Rally for Site of GOP Convention - AP
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/05/31/obama-sets-rally-for-site-of-gop-convention/

BOSTON SUN
-- Obama's independence from that pulpit - Mark Silva
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2008/06/obamas_independence_from_that.html

WASHINGTON POST
-- Obama Quits Longtime Church Over Inflammatory Comments - Derek Kravitz and Keith Richburg
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/31/AR2008053102238.html?hpid=topnews

NEW YORK TIMES
-- Obama Leaves Church That Drew Wide Criticism - Michael Powell
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/us/politics/01obama.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/us/politics/01obama.html?em&ex=1212465600&en=77fc38fafcb7eaa6&ei=5087%0A
-- Talking to Graduates in South Carolina, Bush Calls for Culture of Responsibility President Bush called Saturday for a new “culture of responsibility,” and he told students they would never find fulfillment in “alcohol, drugs or promiscuity.” - Robert Pear
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/washington/01bush.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

CBS NEWS-- Obama Explains Why He Left His Church - Allison O'Keefe
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/05/31/politics/fromtheroad/entry4142696.shtml

CNN
-- Obama quits church, citing controversies
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/31/obama.church/?iref=hpmostpop

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- Obama quits Chicago church after long controversy - Tom Raum
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5isOFwdbq0tsqatW6vJpkDRTI1gMgD910TLRG0

REUTERS
-- Obama resigns from controversial church - Deborah Charles
http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed1/idUSN3140531220080531

AFP
-- Obama quits controversial Chicago church
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jwv0O9uaPGtAD7yTlFljsS9e_guw
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iDwdP4znxrc6DMBMI6M_53qjWt9g
-- Pawlenty, Rove rally faithful at Minnesota GOP convention in Rochester State Republicans to send all-McCain slate to RNC "Will Pawlenty be McCain's running mate? 'I don't know,' he told reporters before giving a pep talk to the 1,700 Republican delegates." - Bill Salisbury
http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_9440775?nclick_check=1

MINNIAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
-- Rove rallies GOP, criticizes Obama Speaking at the close of the Minnesota Republican Party convention, the former adviser to President Bush painted Democrat Barack Obama as someone 'far out of the mainstream' and he urged the GOP to go after undecided voters. - Bob Von Sternberg
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/19427679.html?location_refer=Science%20+%20Technology

AMERICAN THINKER
-- The Obama Way of Ending Divisiveness - Jeff Dobbs
http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/06/post_13.html

SENATOR CHRIS LAUZEN
-- Promise Less, Deliver More
http://www.lauzen.com/mediacenter/voice.cfm

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- OUTSTANDING: Coladipietro joins Claar, Suess, Henry, Hultgren, Fortner, Birkett, King, Carlin, Eckhoff, McBride, Olson, and Dillard in pledging a total of $1,300 to sponsor the Chicago Highlanders in Wheaton's 2008 Independence Day parade - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
(THE ARTICLE: Outstandingly, last year, Republicans Mary Jo Arndt, Alan Bolds, Fred Bucholz, Dave Carlin, Roger Claar, Franco Coladipietro, Mike Connelly, Paul Daniels, Kirk Dillard, Bob Earl, DuPage Young Republicans, Jim Flickinger, Mike Formento, Mike Fortner, GOPUSA ILLINOIS, Mike Gresk, Gwen Henry, Randy Hultgren, Bob Jacobsen, Chris Kachiroubas, Gary King, Mark Kmiecik, Bob Larsen, J.R. McBride, Debra Olson, Mike Prueter, Peter Roskam, Darlene Ruscitti, Leonard Sanchez, Ron Smith, Phil Suess, and Tim Whelan contributed a total of $3,300 to sponsor Big Queenie the elephant ($2,000) and the Chicago Highlanders ($1,300) in Wheaton's 2007 Independence Day parade. On Saturday, May 24, I asked them to consider again sponsoring the Chicago Highlanders in Wheaton's 2008 Independence Day parade. Outstandingly, Roger Claar pledged $250, Phil Suess $150, Gwen Henry $150, Randy Hultgren $150, Mike Fortner $100, Joe Birkett $100, Gary King $100, Dave Carlin $50, Grant Eckhoff $50, J.R. McBride $50, Debra Olson $50, Kirk Dillard $50, and Franco Coladipietro $50 for a total of $1,300 to sponsor the Chicago Highlanders in Wheaton's 2008 Independence Day parade.)

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We have a budget, but no construction plan

By Bethany Jaeger and Patrick O’Brien
The state will continue to operate with some funding increases for education and human services, but schools and transportation districts across the state will continue to wait for state funding for badly needed construction projects. The Illinois General Assembly wrapped up business for the spring session and isn’t scheduled to return until November, but all are waiting to find out whether the governor will call them back to Springfield to address a capital program.

The last day of regularly scheduled session had some surprises, some predictable outcomes. But it leaves a lot of questions. Here are a few examples of what the legislature did, what it did not do and where we go from here:

What the legislature did:
The House and Senate approved a $59 billion operating budget that could spend about $1 billion more than the state could collect in revenue next fiscal year, which starts July 1. Legislators will leave it up to Gov. Rod Blagojevich to cut programs and projects to get closer to a balanced budget.

The GOP in both chambers rejected the budget for being out-of-balance crafted solely by Democrats. “The ironic thing is you’re going to have the governor be the adult in the situation,” said House Minority Leader Tom Cross during floor debate.

The budget as approved also would increase funding for higher education and human services, including pay for home care workers. It does not improve the Medicaid payment cycle, meaning many doctors could continue to experience cash flow problems as they wait an average of 70 days for state reimbursements.

Both chambers also approved free mass transit rides for some individuals with disabilities, a follow-up to the governor’s initiative to add free rides for seniors as part of a deal to save Chicago-area mass transit from cutting services. And downstate mass transit districts finally are expected to receive the increase in state funding that helps them pay operating costs, which also was promised but never delivered as part of the Chicago-area mass transit deal.

Also, as we mentioned this morning, both chambers sent an ethics reform package to the governor that would ban state contractors from donating to officeholders who let the contracts.

What the legislature did not do:
While House Democrats agreed to let the governor decide how to carve out the budget, they rejected a long-awaited capital program because many of them don’t trust the governor to divvy out the money as promised.

House Speaker Michael Madigan, who held a rare 35 minute news conference after the House was about to finish business, said the governor’s leadership style is one “which brings on conflict and confrontation rather than conciliation.” He said the operating budget limits the way the governor can spend money, but the capital plan wouldn't guarantee the governor would release the funds promised.

What’s next for the capital plan?
The capital plan ballooned to a $34 billion proposal by the Senate, and the longer it’s delayed, the more likely it is to keep increasing in cost. It has expanded and retracted countless times in the past few years. This time, negotiators, led by former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard, did a lot of homework to select the funding sources and the projects that were most agreeable to all parties, but the scope of the plan required a lot more revenue than previously discussed. So the revenue ideas multiplied from creating one new land-based casino in Chicago and expanding positions at the nine existing riverboats to creating three new gaming facilities, expanding gaming at existing riverboats and allowing slot machines at horse tracks. The plan also would bank on a fourth new riverboat when the state’s long-dormant 10th gaming license is cleared of legal troubles. The plan is massive. And it’s controversial.

Now that the House Democrats shot down the opportunity, most legislators look to the November session. Delaying the capital plan does four things:

First, it allows legislators to wait until after the November elections to take a tough vote on a controversial funding source, such as gaming or, gulp, taxes. The speaker said, in general, one of the first places he’d look for more state revenue is an increase in the state income tax. “It’s the fairest tax. If you make money, you pay the tax. If you don’t, you don’t pay the tax.”

And in fact, the speaker said the biggest problem with recent attempts to approve a capital plan is that legislators don’t want to accept the tough choices. “My position is there should be a construction program, but it’s going to require some people to do something which is going to carry some pain. They’re not going to be applauded when they vote for a fee increase or a tax increase.”

He wouldn’t offer any alternative revenue sources tonight, “but we’re open,” he said.

Second, a delayed capital plan waits to find out the results of the federal corruption trial against Tony Rezko, a former insider to the Blagojevich Administration. The longer legislators delay a capital plan, the closer it gets to the end of Blagojevich’s term.

Sen. Dale Risinger, a Peoria Republican, described why he thinks those who want to wait contribute to the ballooning of the next capital program: “We get near the end of the Blagojevich Administration, so there will be some people who say, ‘Well let’s just wait until we have a new administration and see which direction we want to go.’ Unfortunately, with the inflation, the cost of construction goes up. And a couple more years of deterioration of our infrastructure means the program has to be that much larger the next time, which makes it even harder to do.”

Third, it risks losing future federal matching funds. The feds already earmarked about $9 billion for the state, but Illinois hasn’t committed its share. The longer the state waits to put forward the match, the less competitive it gets in securing highway funds in the next federal transportation bill.

Where do we go from here?
We wait to find out whether the governor will call legislators back before November to address a capital plan.

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