McHenry County Blog

Well, a state representative has finally summoned up the courage to say that Democratic Party Governor Rod Blagojevich should be impeached.

Was it a Republican?

Noooo.

Insufficient guts there.

It's long-time Blagojevich critic and possible primary challenger State Rep. Jack Franks from McHenry County.

His release follows. (I've added some paragraphs to make it easier to read on a screen.)

“The Legislature Should Consider Convening a Committee to Investigate Evidence for Articles of Impeachment against the Governor”

For decades, Illinois governors have been making hard choices when it comes to the state budget. The difference between our current governor and his predecessors is his attitude toward the process. This is all a game to Blagojevich.

He refuses to do his job and has now opened the door for impeachment.

Today, the Governor called for a July 9th special session for the General Assembly to return to Springfield to vote for initiatives that have already failed in the Legislature.

He made no changes to his proposals which failed so miserably last year but now expects the General Assembly to come back for another overtime session, where a much larger three-fifth’s majority is required, to vote on the same exact measures.

The Governor’s proposal to sell or lease the Illinois lottery failed by a whopping 7 to 97 vote in the Illinois House last year. The bill failed because it is not sound public policy to lease a $30 billion revenue generating asset for a one-time $7 billion dollar payout.

We must question the Governor’s motives for pushing the lottery leasing scheme so adamantly.

He continues to advocate for the privatization of the state lottery but refuses to sign pay-to-play legislation that would bar his cronies from enriching themselves from the sale or lease of state assets.

Blagojevich also continues to pressure legislators to pass a capital bill but has made no effort to make any serious proposal.

The Governor changed his estimate for the cost of a capital bill from $27 billion to $34 billion in the span of one week.

He refuses to give a line-itemed account of what the $34 billion would be spent on. Essentially, the Governor is asking the state to write him a $34 billion blank check.

With his long history of using state money to line the pockets of his supporters, can we really trust Blagojevich to administer a capital program without any accountability?

Instead of working on a compromise that will create real solutions for Illinois citizens, the Governor is instead trying to scare Illinois families and state workers. He has repeatedly threatened shut downs and halted some important projects that provide thousands of Illinoisans with jobs. The Governor is using front-line workers who provide vital services throughout the state as a human shield to guard him from compromise.

The projected budget shortfall for this year is only about 2.5% of the total budget.

Governors before him have made tough choices when it came to the budget. This Governor is squandering a perfect opportunity to cut wasteful spending.

During these hard economic times, the Governor has threatened to put at risk Illinois front-line workers, the disabled, our schools and social service providers.

The Governor makes so many threats because he cannot lead. Blagojevich is incapable of doing his job.

These special sessions are a game to the Governor.

I will ask Speaker Madigan today to create a committee to investigate whether there is enough evidence to proceed with articles of impeachment against Governor Blagojevich.

McHenry County Blog called for impeachment on April 23.

Here's part of what I wrote:

“(Tony) Rezko, carrying the check, ushered the defendant into a conference room where he met with Rezko and Public Official A.

“Rezko placed the envelope containing the defendant's $25,000 check to Public Official A's campaign on the conference room table between himself and Public Official A and stated to Public Official A that the defendant had been a good supporter and a team player and that the defendant would be willing to join Public Official A's administration.

“Public Official A expressed his pleasure and acknowledged that the defendant had been a good supporter and good friend. Public Official A, in defendant's presence, asked Rezko if he (Rezko) had talked to the defendant about positions in the administration, and Rezko responded that he had.”

Rezko solicited and got another $25,000 from Ata.

“Thereafter, the defendant had a conversation with Public Official A at a large fund-raising event at Navy Pier. During this conversation, Public Official A told defendant that he had been a good supporter, indicated that Public Official A was aware that the defendant had made another substantial donation to Public Official A's campaign, and told the defendant that Public Official A understood that he was considering taking a position, and Public Official A stated that it had better be a job where the defendant could make some money.”

Don't tell me that Speaker Mike Madigan doesn't have access to skillful lawyers.

There is no reason to futz around with recall when state representatives can put some of these Rod Blagojevich sleaze bags under oath and replace the “Official A” of the plea agreement with the governor's name.

And Franks gets more publicity in preparation for run for statewide office.

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The photo of the adoration of Rod Blagojevich comes from the Chicago Tribune, March 8, 2007.

Labels: Impeachment, Jack Franks, Rod Blagojevich

With House Speaker Mike Madigan turning up the impeach Rod Blagojevich heat, this tee shirt from the Decatur Illinois Republican Party Convention becomes more relevant.


It's message is simple:


On the back of the tee shirts, worn mainly by young men, was the logo of the Cook County Republican Party.

Here's my call for impeachment from April 23, 2008.

Labels: Cook County Republican Party, Impeachment, Rod Blagojevich

As the only state representative since the memory of anyone in the Legislative Reference Bureau, as of 1974, to file an impeachment resolution, I think it's time for another one.

The Ali Ata guilty plea agreement implicates the governor seriously enough to merit the filing of and serious hearings on an impeachment resolution, in my opinion.

Read the Impeachment article in the State Constitution yourself:

IMPEACHMENT

The House of Representatives has the sole power to conduct legislative investigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment and, by the vote of a majority of the members elected, to impeach Executive and Judicial officers. Impeachments shall be tried by the Senate. When sitting for that purpose, Senators shall be upon oath, or affirmation, to do justice according to law. If the Governor is tried, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senators elected. Judgment shall not extend beyond removal from office and disqualification to hold any public office of this State. An impeached officer, whether convicted or acquitted, shall be liable to prosecution, trial, judgment and punishment according to law. (emphasis added)

If selling a job is not sufficient reason for impeachment, what would be?

Read what Ata says happened:

“(Tony) Rezko, carrying the check, ushered the defendant into a conference room where he met with Rezko and Public Official A.

“Rezko placed the envelope containing the defendant's $25,000 check to Public Official A's campaign on the conference room table between himself and Public Official A and stated to Public Official A that the defendant had been a good supporter and a team player and that the defendant would be willing to join Public Official A's administration.

“Public Official A expressed his pleasure and acknowledged that the defendant had been a good supporter and good friend. Public Official A, in defendant's presence, asked Rezko if he (Rezko) had talked to the defendant about positions in the administration, and Rezko responded that he had.”

Rezko solicited and got another $25,000 from Ata.

“Thereafter, the defendant had a conversation with Public Official A at a large fund-raising event at Navy Pier. During this conversation, Public Official A told defendant that he had been a good supporter, indicated that Public Official A was aware that the defendant had made another substantial donation to Public Official A's campaign, and told the defendant that Public Official A understood that he was considering taking a position, and Public Official A stated that it had better be a job where the defendant could make some money.”

Don't tell me that Speaker Mike Madigan doesn't have access to skillful lawyers.

There is no reason to futz around with recall when state representatives can put some of these Rod Blagojevich sleaze bags under oath and replace the “Official A” of the plea agreement with the governor's name.

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The photo of the adoration of Rod Blagojevich comes from the Chicago Tribune, March 8, 2007.

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Trivia question: Which one of Governor Dan Walker's directors did I file an impeachment resolution against? Bonus question: What were the grounds?

Labels: Ali Ata, Impeachment, Mike Madigan, Recall, Rod Blagojevich, Tony Rezko