The Successful Reign of Todd Stroger
Filed under: Blagojevich, Budget, Corruption, Crime, Elections, Reform, Spending, Taxes, Todd Stroger
At first, we though this story was a satire — ripped out of the pages of The Onion newspaper.
But we then remembered that this is Cook County, where suspension of disbelief is the norm and failure is rewarded on a regular basis.
We’re not sure exactly how Micah Maidenberg defines success, but apparently Todd Stroger fits into that definition, as evidenced by this quote attributed to Stroger himself:
“There’s plenty of people who feel I’m doing a good job, and then there’s plenty of people who read the newspapers and don’t know what’s going on in the county, because they don’t report what the county does,” Stroger said during a recent interview at his downtown office with Austin Weekly News staff. “When we have a story about what is happening with the county dollar today, we can’t get that in the paper so people don’t know what’s going on.”
If success is defined as a bloated budget, a worsening jobs climate, and rampant corruption — then this story is right on track.
Maidenberg throws in this little jab at those who have dared hold Todd accountable:
His critics on the board have decried Stroger’s successful push for a 1-percent increase in the county share of local sales taxes. They’ve also condemned his hiring decisions and questioned his leadership.
Actually, it’s not just the critics on the board who have raised those issues. It’s the major newspapers. It’s the taxpayers. It’s the voters in border towns who have supported (successfully) ballot measures to secede from the county. It’s the employers, who continue to flee Cook County.
And, in terms of hiring decisions, perhaps it’s not fair to criticize his hiring of a busboy with a troubled record to a highly-paid position in the highway department. Even when that busboy-turned-county employee ended up in jail and the circumstances led to the firing of Stroger’s cousin from the position of county Chief Financial Officer.
Just as Todd did when he tried to tie me to George Bush in 2006 — he attempts to avoid accountability and criticism by personally attacking those on the board who oppose him (a bipartisan contingent, we might add, that now even includes John Daley.)
By any reasonable measure of effective government, Todd Stroger has failed.
And, if newspapers like the Austin Weekly News can sell more papers by celebrating this failure — then more power to them.
But shame on them.
Bye, Bye Paul…
Illinois Review tonight cites a Daily Herald report that says Republican-turned-Democrat State Rep. Paul Froehlich will not seek re-election.
That’s the same Froelich who’s facing tough questions following some solid Illinois Review investigative reporting and the below Fox Chicago News report about his possible abuse of the tax appeals process.
Sun-Times: Todd ‘Shoots an Air Ball’
Filed under: Blagojevich, Budget, Reform, Spending, Todd Stroger
Here’s a fun one from this morning’s headlines…
Former University of Georgia basketball player Tony Cole — a convicted felon who also was once charged in a rape case — scored a patronage job in October with Cook County President Todd Stroger’s administration.
Another day, another story of patronage.
And Todd Stroger still hasn’t found that wasteful spending in the budget yet?
For those of you who haven’t watched, we urge you to view this funny video:
Impeached governor lands six-figure book deal
Blagojevich apparently has an agent now, who is reporting that the now-impeached governor signed a six-figure book deal Monday and will be releasing a tell-all book on the “dark side” of Chicago politics and “the discussions, the considerations and the factors involved” in selecting an appointee for the U.S. Senate.
The Chicago Tribune reports: “First he was charged with trying to sell a U.S. Senate seat; now ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich is trying to sell a book about it.”
Michael Viner, president of Phoenix Books, said he was “fascinated” by Blagojevich’s story and the behind-the-scenes dirt the former politician could deliver.
“It’s not been written yet, but conceptually, [it will focus on] the horse-trading that is done and considered throughout politicians’ reigns, the choices they make and why they make them, and the influence of lobbying groups and other politicians have and how it affects how business is done,” Viner said. “It’s more than a story about one man.”
Viner said he was “shocked” Blagojevich would be willing to take on such a project while facing the likelihood of a criminal trial, “but he believes in it that strongly.”
The book, with a working title of “The Governor,” is scheduled to be released in October.
The twice-elected Chicago democrat was impeached and removed from office by Illinois state legislature on Jan. 29 for abusing the powers of the governor’s office. The decision to impeach and remove the former governor from office was triggered by Blagojevich’s Dec. 9 arrest on federal corruption charges including trying to sell Illinois’ vacant U.S. Senate seat.
Fritchey defends taking campaign cash from Blago fundraiser
As one of the most vocal critics of the various pay-to-play and similar corruption allegations against the former Gov. Blagojevich administration, State Rep. John Fritchey is now defending his receipt of nearly $5,000 from one of Blagojevich’s top fundraising families.
This adds an all-too-familiar, Burris-esque flavor to the upcoming 5th District congressional campaign and Chicago democratic politics in its entirety.
The Chicago Tribune reports:
Milan Petrovic, who was listed as Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s top campaign fundraiser at a political corruption trial last year, recently gave $2,400 to the congressional fund of state Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), according to federal campaign finance reports filed today.
Fritchey also reported receiving another $2,400 from Petrovic’s wife, Anne.
Citing his longstanding criticism of Blagojevich, Fritchey has touted himself as the most experienced reformer in Tuesday’s special primary in the 5th Congressional District. Voters will pick from among a dozen Democrats, with the winner likely to succeed Rahm Emanuel in representing the North and Northwest Sides in Congress. Emanuel left to become President Barack Obama’s White House chief of staff.
Last week, Clout Street reported Fritchey got a campaign donation from another Blagojevich ally, state Sen. James DeLeo (D-Chicago).
Sen. Dick Durbin calls for Burris’ resignation
While meeting with Sen. Roland Burris for nearly an hour this morning, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin suggested that the Blagojevich-appointed Senator should consider resigning. To this, Burris answered “I will not resign.”
Durbin is the latest in a long list of politicians, colleagues, newspapers and professional organizations now calling for Burris’ resignation.
According to Durbin, he also advised Burris not to run for re-election in 2010, as he would not support the campaign. During the meeting, Durbin abandoned any pretense of support for Burris following his evolving explanation of contact with then-Governor Blagojevich and his attempt to raise money for the now-impeached governor.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Burris is now also facing inquiries from the Senate Ethics Committee and the Sangamon County state’s attorney.
Burris, voting on the Senate floor today, left the meeting through a side door and was trapped by reporters while waiting for an elevator. Burris would not make any comment about his discussion with Sen. Durbin, exept to say that it was “a good meeting.”
Stop Mayor Daley’s O’Hare Boondoggle
Filed under: Blagojevich, Corruption, Mayor Daley, Reform, Taxes
Commissioner Peraica participated in a City Hall press conference today expressing opposition to Mayor Daley’s $20 billion O’Hare expansion boondoggle.
At the press conference, Citizens Against Government Waste released TV ads being run in Chicago and Washington, DC that promote opposition to the O’Hare Project - and feature a quote from Peraica. We’ll share other press clippings from the press conference as they appear.
Did Burris mislead impeachment panel?
The Sun-Times has this potential huge story this morning:
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s brother solicited U.S. Sen. Roland Burris for up to $10,000 in campaign cash before Blagojevich named Burris to the coveted post — something Burris initially failed to disclose under oath before an Illinois House impeachment panel, records and interviews show.
Wow.
Quinn the reformer?
Pat Quinn has done his best during the past 12 months to brand himself as a “reformer” (despite his strong support for Blago’s 2006 re-election.)
So what does any good reform do as one of his first acts as governor? Well, meet and pledge to work closely with … Mayor Daley, of course!
Hmmmm….
Blago’s Removal from Office
Well, as expected, Rod Blagojevich was removed from office today.
No big surprise there.
The most important thing to take away from this situation is that Illinoi scorruption didn’t begin with Rod Blagojevich and doesn’t end with Rod Blagojevich.
With our former governor - a Republican - in jail, and now our current governor being removed from office, it is clear that our state’s problems stem from a bipartisan addiction to corruption and cronyism that has destroyed any semblance of a two-party system in Illinois.
The voters of Illinois need to start holding our state’s attorneys accountable - to ensure they are no longer asleep at the switch and “punting” corruption investigations to the feds.
And reform-minded officials and voters in all political parties need to clean house and restore dignity and integrity to Illinois government.
Reform Tweets
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- Project Shield a big drain on taxpayers http://ff.im/gUAyV
- Corruption in City of Chicago Hiring Process http://ff.im/gJhye
- Ex-Bridgeport Village couple building a case against City Hall http://ff.im/gCjwn
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