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Capitol Fax

Rich Miller's commentary on State Government

As expected, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's new book paints himself as the hero of Illinois politics and blames everyone but himself for his troubles.

He also tries to settle an old score. Blagojevich's longtime enemies House Speaker Michael Madigan and Attorney General Lisa Madigan are both attacked.

"I believe the two Madigan's are not the people they pretend to be," Blagojevich writes in his new book, "The Governor."

"Both of them are surrounded by conflicts of interest and indiscretions in their public and private lives."

Blagojevich doesn't detail any "indiscretions" about either Madigan's personal lives, but he does allege that Speaker Madigan's property tax law practice is "unethical" and "very well may be illegal." And if it's not illegal, it should be, Blagojevich writes.

The irony of Blagojevich's use of the word "indiscretion" is obvious and undoubtedly intended. Speaker Madigan once said of Blagojevich "I could talk about some of his indiscretions, but I don't plan to do that," after Blagojevich had singled Madigan out for criticism during his first gubernatorial campaign.

Blagojevich also alleges that Mike and Lisa Madigan sabotaged his legislative agenda because Blagojevich refused to contribute money to the Democratic Party of Illinois, which Mike Madigan runs.

The former governor asserts that both Madigan's and others met with Blagojevich to persuade him to contribute to a fund for Democratic candidates. Blagojevich described the meeting as "an effort to muscle me for nearly $400,000 in campaign funds."

Blagojevich added that Attorney General Lisa Madigan's presence at the meeting was "incredibly unethical" because she had subpoenaed his campaign fundraising records.

After noting the details of the seating arrangements, Blagojevich wrote this of Speaker and Attorney General Madigan, respectively: "While dear old dad is literally and figuratively putting the arm on me from the left side, she is subtly holding a gun to my head from the right."

A spokesman for Speaker Madigan said that the book's publisher must have reneged on his pledge to force Blagojevich to take a lie detector test. "The guy's a very troubled human being," the spokesman said of Blagojevich, adding "Why anybody would pay attention to this is beyond me."

Despite promising months ago to name names and spill the dirt on Illinois politics, Blagojevich does very little of that.

For instance, while discussing the allegations that he tried to sell Barack Obama's US Senate seat, Blagojevich claims he never offered a quid pro quo on the seat. But, he writes that others "approached us about campaign contributions if I either appointed them or the person they were supporting to the Senate. If anyone should have been charged with a crime for this, it should have been them and not me."

The ex-governor does provide an example of someone who mentioned campaign money in exchange for an appointment - but that offer doesn't appear to have been direct. And he doesn't give us the name. The former governor alleges that one of his close legislative allies who is also a "prominent" African-American state legislator brought up the subject.

Blagojevich alleged that the unnamed black legislator "intimated that his overflowing campaign fund might be available to me," if Blagojevich ran for a third term as governor.

The legislator wanted to talk with Blagojevich in person, but Blagojevich claimed he canceled the meeting because he wanted to "avoid any conversations with anyone who could possibly be chosen as a senator who might say something that could be interpreted as improper."

The former governor also noted that canceling the meeting probably saved this legislator from getting in trouble with the law, but that the legislator later voted to impeach him.

The book's most useful passages imply what could be Blagojevich's defense during his federal corruption trial. Essentially, chief of staff John Harris was to blame.

Harris was arrested the same day as Blagojevich, but he has since agreed to cooperate with the feds.

Blagojevich wrote that he intended to operate his administration, "effectively, honestly and always within the rules," but then added he "relied" on Harris "to tell me what we could and could not do."

"As Governor," Blagojevich wrote, "I left those [operational] details in the hands of my chiefs of staff."

That's classic Rod Blagojevich. Throw everybody else under the bus.

Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and thecapitolfaxblog.com.

Honoring the Flag

Over the Labor Day weekend my sister-in-law and I attended (a) parade in (the area) and I could not believe what I saw. There were quite a few people across the street from us, young and old, all Americans, or so I thought.

Several organizations were marching at the beginning of the parade, all carrying the American flag and the flag of their organization - VFW, American Legion, and so forth. When the flag passed by there wasn't one person who took his cap off, saluted the flag, or put his hand over his heart. That is the first parade I have seen where they showed no respect for the flag.

I just wonder if the ones carrying our flag noticed, and what they thought if they did? After all, the sacrifices our servicemen and women went through to give us a chance to live in a country where we are able to fly a flag, and no one respects it.

Maybe someday they won't get the chance. I hope they think about it.

Jean Turney

Polo, IL

Governor Quinn:

Reverse Your Decision

I am writing to you concerning the Governor's cut of the Personal Assistant Program from all Centers For Independent Living in Illinois. The general public needs to understand the importance of this vital program to individuals with disabilities. The program not only saves the taxpayers of this state hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, but it enables individuals with disabilities to live independently with the assistance of s Personal Assistant.

Any one of us can become a person with a disability in the blink of an eye. Would you, if you were one of those persons,want to live in a nursing home the rest of your life? Or would you rather live independently, with dignity, making your own decisions as to how you wish to live your life? Certainly some people who have the ability to live independently will end up returning to the nursing institution if this vital program is removed.

We urge everyone to write, call, FAX or email the Governor to persuade him to reverse his decision and re-instate the PA Program to the Center's for Independent Living at:

Office of Governor Pat Quinn

207 State House

Springfield, IL 62706

or phone 217-782-0244, or FAX 217-524-4049, or email governor@state.il.us

Kay Arity

PA Coordinator

NICIL

Cap & Trade

Chastity Welch, Carroll County Manager, in her recent column, Farm Bureau at a glance, September 9, 2009, discussed her impressions of the current Cap and Trade Bill that Congress is currently studying and will probably vote on later this year.

First, we should remember that Cap and Trade works. We already have Cap & Trade legislation in place which is working better than anyone ever expected. In 1990 to reduce SO2 emissions, which are the cause of Acid Rain. Congress instituted a Cap & Trade policy. It worked. It has been cheaper to implement and run than anyone expected, it reached the mandated goals ahead of time and most importantly, it ended the devastating affects of Acid Rain on the environment. It's another successful partnership between the federal government and industry. See www.epa.gov/amarkt/cap&trade and the Environmental Defense Fund www.edforg/page.cfm

I think Ms. Welch tries to minimize the severity of the situation. She says, " we need to be gentler to our environment" It's going to take more than just being gentler. The Union of Concerned Scientists just released a study, (Chicago Tribune, September 10) which predicts that by mid-century Illinois can expect record heat waves every summer and a deterioration of air quality, Illinois farmers will suffer from droughts, pests and floods, heat stress in animals could force the dairy industry to migrate north by century's end, and Illinois' climate would resemble east Texas. According to the report, Ms. Welch is right that what we do now won't help much in the next 20 years or so, but also according to the report it will help in the long term.

Ms. Welch quotes EPA Director, Lisa Jackson, who said US actions alone will not impact CO2 levels. She's right, we can't do it alone, but if the whole world acts together we can first slow and then reverse global warming. And that's exactly why Congress has to act this year. President Obama can then join the rest of the world in Copenhagen to draft a comprehensive treaty. A sincere world-wide effort can have results. The US helped draft the Kyoto Accords and then foolishly refused to sign them. Now we have a second chance. We can join the rest of the world, especially Europe, and seriously start to fight global warming

Ms Welch is also concerned about the costs to individuals. First of all, the plan's critics exaggerate the costs. Current estimates are that the bill will cost us about 50 cents a day, less than a $150 a year. Even though it is a relatively small sum, it is a cost we would all rather avoid. And this is why it is important to return to Ms. Welch's suggestion that we have, "a comprehensive energy program." The plan should start with energy conservation and efficiencies. For years now we have been reading about going Green. Many newspapers and magazines have been in the forefront advocating the 10, 12, 100 things we can do as individuals to lower our carbon footprint. Many of us have tried to implement some of these suggestions. Some of them, however, are expensive. The Cap & Trade Bill will help. Right now under the current stimulus plan there are tax incentives and rebates for implementing energy conservation measures and under the Cap and Trade Bill there will be more. Then as individuals we can reduce our energy consumption significantly and our own costs without seriously changing our life style.

There will also be money for larger projects. Switching from our current gas guzzlers to smart electric cars is just one example. But it is going to be expensive. Revenues from the Cap &Trade bill will help. It will help also companies with big projects, like Jo-Carroll Energy's biomass plant.

Most people don't take energy conservation and energy efficiencies seriously enough. There is more to it than a few solar panels and a couple of new CFLs. If we can change lifelong attitudes and habits that we learned years ago from Little Bill, we can beat global warming. New attitudes, without the new hi-tech plants and products, can make the difference. We simply have to change the way we think about things. At home, many of us never turn off our computers, or our TV and stereo systems. We rationalize and say to ourselves, "Heck, it's it only a few pennies". But multiplied nationwide or better yet, worldwide and it's millions of dollars and millions of kwhs of electricity. Nobody at home leaves the refrigerator door open for more than a moment or two, but grocery stores across the country have millions of refrigerators and freezers with no doors and which are running 24/7. We have to rethink some of the most basic things we do and which we take for granted.

Many magazines, when they are not giving us their latest list of ways to save the planet, are giving us hundreds of examples of model programs across the country where industrial plants, retail stores, schools and hospitals are saving tons of money and millions of kwhs through innovations which are currently available but which we were too short sighted to use in the past. Personally, I'm fascinated by all the ideas (and yes, there are upfront costs) which would, if implemented, save enough energy so that maybe some of those new plants wouldn't even have to be built and lots of those dirty old coal burning plants could be permanently retired.

Since the end of WW II corporate America created a world of cheap energy (never mind the hidden costs) and in many ways it was wonderful. However, things are different now and now we all understand the ramifications of global warming and most of us want to do something about it and supporting Cap & Trade as an indispensable part of the solution.

Chuck Wemstrom

Mount Carroll

Regarding Sept. 9

Included in the Advocate's issue dated Sept. 9, 2009, there was a letter to the editor from Mr. Richard O'Connor of Pearl City. In his letter, Mr. O'Connor criticized my over simplification regarding living wills. But before I address this issue, let me address other far out statement from Mr. O'Connor stated: "Before the Bushes, the Democratic Party was rightfully nicknamed the War Party. Democratic Presidents manufactured phony "incidents" to justify wars with Japan, Korea and Vietnam, for which millions of our soldiers payed (sic) with their lives. FDR needed the war with Japan to jump start our economy." Now, read this statement twice. I did. I couldn't believe that Mr. O'Connor thinks of Pearl Harbor as a "phony incident".

Now, regarding living wills.Mr. O'Connor states in his letter that living wills are not about patients' control over their health care. This is totally wrong! I have had a living will for the last 10 years and this is the document me, my wife, family and lawyer developed in the event that I may become mentally and physically incapacitated. I have made my decision and don't have to burden my family anymore than I have to. Some people worry about patients changing their minds. If patients change their minds, then they are not incapacitated are they? Then they can change their minds if they so desire. My living will assures me that other people outside of me and my family, keep their business out . These are my wishes and mine alone in consultation with my family. Remember Terry Shiavo? And one more thing, no one is forced to have a living will. This is strictly an individual choice!

Wow! I watched President Obama's address to the school kids on Tuesday Sept. 8, 2009 and I must admit, I was a liberal but I just got indoctrinated into Socialism, Communism, Marxism, Fascism, Hatesism, Blackism, Latinism, Europeanism, Racism, and any other "ism" the right can come out with. How dare the duly elected President of the United States talks to our kids, parents, school official and government about taking responsibility for education? How dare he challenge our kids to study hard and take responsibility for their own education, to stay in school, to study hard and set achievable goals? How dare He?

For those Parents who decided to keep the kids from watching the President's address good for you. Show the country and the world how smart you are by opposing a highly educated President talk about education. The Republican Party loves likes you just the way you are. Not too well informed!

Paul Gonzalez

Lake Carroll, IL

Clearing Up Inaccuracies

Since I've been accused of inaccuracies and misinformation, I'd like to clear up a few things. I think the only inaccuracy I stated was that there was no pandemic and you were right to point out that the WHO declared a level 6 pandemic in March.

Your paper, however, is also guilty of a few minor inaccuracies. For example, you reprimand me for using the NYTimes "to refute the Constitution party." Actually, I cited the NYTimes article to contradict Richard O'Connor's "euthanasia" statement. It had nothing to do with the Constitution Party. Also, Mike Kocal claims that the Constitution has served the country well "since 1776." The Constitution was ratified in 1787, replacing the Articles of Confederation. The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1789.

In answer to a response of mine, you wrote, "'Heart of the Matter' did not reference the Amendments to the Constitution, just the 6-page original. "It doesn't make much sense to "reference" the Constitution without the Amendments, since those either added to or changed the original document. They're part of the Constitution.

As I'm sure you know, the Constitution, including all of the Amendments in the Bill of Rights, is subject to interpretation, and all Constitutional scholars agree that these rights are not absolute. We all agree that Freedom of Speech, for example, does not give you the right to shout "Fire!" in a crowded theatre. Courts have also ruled it does not give one the right to harass or call someone ethnic names in the workplace. Nor does it defend slander or libel.

"The right to bear arms" has been "infringed upon" several times. You cannot carry a loaded gun onto an airplane, nor into a courtroom. Nor, in most cases, into a school, although gun advocates want to change that.

I do not agree that the passage you quote declares that international law can override the Constitution. The passage does not mention the Constitution, and your reading of it depends on your interpretation of the Fourth Amendment, upon which we disagree. The Fourth Amendment clause about being "secure intheir persons" you interpret to mean the government cannot make you be vaccinated. The Fourth Amendment is clearly talking about "searches and seizures" and the Amendment itselfpoints out that you can be searched or your property seized for cause, and with a warrant, etc. Now I don't necessarily think that the government should be forcing people to be vaccinated, but using your broad interpretation I could say being secure in one's person should mean that people cannot carry assault weapons into a place where the president is speaking and cannot carry concealed weapons into national parks (which they can do beginning in February). I don't feel secure with all these weapons around. But the gun rights people would say they don't feel secure without them. We need the courts to interpret exactly what all this means. As Bill Sparboe implied in a letter last week, the Constitution is an elastic document, which is why it has been the law of the land for so long.

You don't like "any form of government-controlled healthcare program." But what do you think Medicare is? Or the hospital system run by the Department of Veterans Affairs? A recent study by the Rand Corporation concluded that Americans treated in veterans hospitals "received consistently better care across the board."And I'm sure President Obama does not want to send you "unwanted emails." Just click "unsubcribe" at the bottom. Personally, I get unwanted emails all the time. And the AARP, although they have not endorsed any particular plan, is definitely in favor of health care reform.

I admire you for wanting to have dialogues in your paper about important issues. However, the dialogue should be fact-based and, I hope,remain civil.

Pat Wemstrom

Mount Carroll, IL

Read It . . . HR3200

I won't pretend I ever supported Obama. I don't hold it against you if you did. But, for your own sake, you need to learn what's in the healthcare "reform" being shoved through the Congress. It cannot be stopped, unless enough democrat legislators find their consciences stronger than their party loyalties.

There are links to the House version of the bill (HR3200) on the internet, one at JayWeberShow.com, the morning talk guy on 1130 AM Milwaukee WISN Radio. Mainstream cable and network TV are not bothering to report on the bill. Surprisingly, AP News Service just revealed that the "health" bill will fund abortion services (very unhealthy for the baby). The administration has been denying this fact.

Here's what's in the bill: If you change jobs, you get dumped into the "public option" insurance, not the new employer's plan (Pg 16). Medicare and Medicaid are cut to support Obamacare. Medical care for illegal aliens is funded (Pg 50 Section 152), and the bill gives the government REAL TIME ACCESS to your personal financial information (Pg 59), and the ability to withdraw funds from your account (Pg 59 lines 21-24). The Obama plan puts a committee in charge of the therapies you may receive, rather than your physician (Pg 30 Sec 123). Bottom line, seniors will suffer a rationing of care by this reform.

This isn't scare tactics. Read the bill.

Jane Ryan Carrell

Roscoe, IL

President Needs To Answer Healthcare Concerns

President Obama recently addressed Congress and the American people about his plan for a national, government-run health care system. The president, however, did not adequately answer important questions regarding the possibility of taxpayer-funded abortions, coverage for undocumented immigrants and the amount of national debt the U.S. will incur under this plan.

Obama said again that abortions would not be federally funded, though many major news outlets have disputed that claim. The Associated Press accurately reported in its August 5, 2009 analysis that "a law called the Hyde amendment applies the (abortion) restrictions to Medicaid. The (Obama-backed) health overhaul would create a stream of federal funding not covered by the restrictions."

But perhaps the most revealing fact is that specific amendments offered to make clear that the bill would not have taxpayers pay for abortions or provide millions of illegal immigrants free healthcare at taxpayer expense were voted down. Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office estimated this healthcare plan would need at least $1 trillion in additional taxpayer money.

I encourage pro-life citizens across the state and nation to speak out against any health care reform legislation that covers abortion, illegal immigrants, or would place taxpayers deeper in debt.

Sincerely,

David E. Smith

Executive Director

Illinois Family Institute

Tinley Park, IL

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative, 89th District

Each year my office has the privilege of granting eight scholarships for students to attend Illinois state colleges and universities. Without exception, about 70 to 80 students apply for the scholarships each year, and eight dedicated school superintendents from here in the 89^th District make the selection and eight families are very proud of their young scholars. Is this a good system? I think so. I wouldn't make the selection any other way.

These scholarships are debated every year on the House floor. A recent editorial in an area newspaper suggested they should be done away with because their awarding is often badly abused. The editorial, first printed in the Rock Island Argus and the Moline Dispatch, states that each year the General Assembly is doling out $12.5 million as the 177 legislators award scholarships. That's absolutely incorrect - please hold that thought. The editorial goes on to say that the system is badly abused; unfortunately, that statement is absolutely correct.

An Associated Press analysis of the program between 2004 and 2009 found a direct correlation in forty one cases between generous contributors to legislators' campaigns and to whom their scholarships were awarded. As with so many things in life, a few make it bad for many.

I proudly award my scholarships in a completely professional manner; as it should be done. I also award three $1,000 scholarships each year to deserving students at Highland College. The recipients are chosen by Highland faculty. The money for these scholarships comes out of my salary, fulfilling a promise I made when first elected seven years ago.

One of the more important things we can do as legislators is to provide a great future for our young scholars.

No money is awarded from the state's General Revenue Fund for the eight state scholarships. The college is obligated to provide the space and the education. Of course there is a cost, but please don't insinuate that it comes from the General Revenue Fund.

I will continue to fight hard to ensure that our scholarships are awarded to deserving students.

Our program on Identity Theft and Scams at the Highland campus west was a great success. Ninety three seniors attended and Mike Hughes from the Illinois Attorney General's office did his usual outstanding job with the presentation. We will host another identity theft prevention seminar on the east side of the district in the near future and will keep you advised in this column as the details come together. The number of seniors who are scammed out of hard-earned money continues to rise and again Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan deserves great credit for her proactive efforts to protect seniors. Her Senior Fraud Helpline number is 800-243-5377. It's a number you should keep beside your phone.

Our first unemployment conference that I mentioned last week is now scheduled for September 24th at 10:00AM at the Freeport Public Library. This is not a job fair, but if you or a friend is unemployed you should make a point of attending. We're putting together a program that will prove to be beneficial.

Also, don't forget that my mobile office will be in Hanover at 2:00pm on September 22nd. Please stop by with any concerns or suggestions you have, or to just say "hello".

As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at 815/232-0774 or e-mail us at jimsacia@aeroinc.net. You can also visit my website at www.jimsacia.com. It's always a pleasure to hear from you.

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