Lately, I've been looking forward with some morbid curiosity to picking up the newspaper each morning and seeing what kind of shenanigans State Senator Terry Link (D-Waukegan) is trying to pull next.For those of you who are new here, Terry Link is a powerful state senator who also is the chairman of the Lake County Democratic Party, and currently is Chairman of the Senate Gaming Committee (after being defeated in a bid for State Senate President). Link is rather famous (or infamous) for having two of his campaign workers indicted for having the signatures of dead people appear on his nominating petitions in the last campaign cycle. Link also faced pressure from the GOP for allegedly failing to properly account for payments to these individuals, which case is still ongoing at the appellate court level. Link's ties to former guv Blagojevich didn't help him either (nor his protege State Senator Michael Bond, who were both named to the Tribune's list of the "Blagojevich 26.")
The petition scandal was quite the issue in the last election, but Link still coasted to re-election in a district that was drawn to guarantee a Dem senator. Some other Dems who were caught in similar circumstances weren't so lucky. But I digress.
Senator Link's obsession is to place a casino in Waukegan. Lately, he has been thwarted in that effort, as most recently, the new Waukegan mayor, former Democrat-turned-Independent Bob Sabonjian, rejected Link's offer to place a casino in Waukegan, where Link also resides. Link's thumb-in-your-eye response to Sabonjian was to offer it to neighboring Park City, which is desperate for revenue--even more desperate than Waukegan, apparently.
Link is also intent on expanding other forms of gambling in this state, for reasons unknown. As we have said in this space before, if it's simply because Link is a one-trick (race) pony and cannot think of any other way to bring jobs to Lake County, that is pretty sad, considering his resources and tenure in office. So, we at Team America think there must be some other motivation for Link, but we shall save further speculation for another post. We will note for now that Senator Link has a history of legislatively taking care of those that take care of him.
Today, the Daily Herald takes Senator Link to task for running rough-shod over the wishes of Arlington Heights, which is not on board with Link's plan to place up to a thousand slot machines at Arlington Park racetrack. Link later appeared to back off that position. But, apparently the Herald is still concerned that Link still believes the State should be able to impose its will over the desires of the host municipality, or why would the Herald be editorializing on the issue today? The question TA has, is why did Link not use the same strategy to push his casino through in Waukegan over the wishes of Mayor Sabonjian? But perhaps that's next.
In addition to the editorial, the Daily Herald ran a letter from Link's GOP challenger in the 30th district race, Keith Gray, of Mettawa. Gray's letter skewers Link for his myopic view that gambling is the only way to promote economic development. (TA's Note- I mistakenly said previously that the Herald endorsed Gray- in fact, the Herald went for Link and the Tribune and News-Sun were for Gray. But I bet the Herald wishes it could get a do-over).
In other Link-related developments, part of the recommendations for government reforms that are now being proposed by an ethics comission appointed by Governor Pat Quinn and headed by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Collins include the proposal that state's attorneys being empowered to institute wiretaps and other forms of eavedropping much as such techniques are used at the federal level. While the Daily Herald reports that a number of legislators such as State Senators Dan Duffy and Matt Murphy, as well as Susan Garrett and Michael Bond (heck, even ultra-liberal State Rep. Kathy Ryg), are in favor of the proposal, Terry Link is not so sure.
In other Link-related developments, part of the recommendations for government reforms that are now being proposed by an ethics comission appointed by Governor Pat Quinn and headed by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Collins include the proposal that state's attorneys being empowered to institute wiretaps and other forms of eavedropping much as such techniques are used at the federal level. While the Daily Herald reports that a number of legislators such as State Senators Dan Duffy and Matt Murphy, as well as Susan Garrett and Michael Bond (heck, even ultra-liberal State Rep. Kathy Ryg), are in favor of the proposal, Terry Link is not so sure.
Says Link: "While I am supportive of the concept of statewide grand juries, giving elected county prosecutors - who are politicians - the power to wiretap other politicians and citizens should raise concerns for every Illinoisan."
Yeah, Senator, you can say that again. Could you just imagine if Link had to worry about Lake County State's Attorney Michael Waller actually having a way to directly investigate Link's goings-on without having to chase low-level campaign workers to try to tie in Link to such activities? Oh, if Senator Link's phone could talk, what stories could it tell? Better get henchman "Sneaky" Pete Couvall's phone too, while you're at it.
Keep tuning in for more developments in the wacky world of Senator Link and Lake County politics.
Posts
8 comments:
Speaking of the Terry Link case, I think it is interesting that the Attorney Generals office of Lisa Madigan has asked for a second extension of time to file her response to the appeal. Is it due her office being busy or is it troubling for her to argue against transparency in campaign disclosure when it comes to Senator Link’s financial reports.
Anon 12:13, it IS interesting as to the delay by AG Madigan, isn't it?
I suspect that she is not too pleased about the position she has to take, which is essentially AGAINST transparency in government, due to the fact that the State Board of Elections (SBE) sided with Link and held that the $2500 payment to Pete Couvall, some of which made its way to at least one of Link's indicted campaign workers (Knight and Davison), did not have to be specifically disclosed on Link's D-2's since Link disclosed the overall payment to Couvall.
I think the SBE's position is wrong, but leaving that aside, it certainly will be an unpopular one in light of the late push for transparency in IL govt. If the appellate court overturns the SBE's decision, it could put Lisa's office in a tough spot politically, as she will have had to defend a misguided decision by the SBE, and she will have lost a big case brought by the GOP.
We should point out that AG Madigan is NOT defending Link, she is representing the SBE in the appeal, which she has a constitutional duty to do. But sometimes, that's the way the cookie crumbles.
I really hope the appellate court makes the right decision in this case (which would hopefully result in the SBE making Link divuldge all such itemizations of his campaign expenditures). And, if they rule against Link and he takes it to the IL Sup. Ct. (which may or may not take the case, as it is discretionary) to avoid that result, that would REALLY put Lisa on the hotseat at a bad time, if she decides to run for higher office.
I agree Lisa Madigan is against transparency unless it suits her.
She conveniently turned a blind eye on the Link petition scandal and will continue to turn a blind eye on any scandal involving any Democrat until they're busted. Then she'll jump in front of every TV camera and state, "I have not spoken to that individual in two years, blah blah blah.
She is a phoney if I ever met one. I just can't believe the State Republican Party does not go after her at all.
Since she was elected Attorney General, the Feds have been dragging in countless Dems for wrongdoing, ALL UNDER HER WATCH.
Remember when the Democrats attacked then Attorney General Jim Ryan for the actions of George Ryan? Well, I think Lisa has got some explaining to do.....
I wonder if Mr. Link has his fingers in the pot here in Buffalo Grove with the proposed OTB that our wonderful (insert sarc tag) Village Board has tried to slip in under our noses? Thank God for Lisa Stone and Beverly Sussman for sticking up for the citizens of Buffalo Grove in trying to at least stall the vote to allow off-track betting as special use zoning within the boundaries of our village. I will be actively opposing it and hope others do too.
Lone Wolf- where ya been???
Hey, Lone Wolf, be sure to help Lisa Stone object to the date of the Buffalo Grove Village meeting. The geniusus have scheduled the meeting for the night when graduations are taking place in the BG schools. How very convenient. Let's help Lisa get a postponement so a real discussion can take place. And one can safely bet that Terry and Co. have their hands in everything that's going on in BG and elsewhere out here.
Lone Wolf - keep up the good fight - your mayor is one of Terry Link's disciples, so you've got quite a fight on your hands, but I bet (no pun intended) you'll prevail!
Back to Lisa Madigan, is it just me or is there a need for more transparency into Ms. Madigan's office?
TA, didn't one of her employees get busted soliciting money for an event, on the office computer, for a Seal's campaign in 2006? Do you recall what ever happened to that employee? Was the individual promoted? Is the individual now an Agency Head, Judge or other Elected Official?
Anon 9:25 - You are spot on in regards to Madigan!
I recall her office being strongly opposed to then Mayor Don "the Republican" Stephens getting a casino license because she felt he was "connected to the mob"!
However, she was fine with Daley getting the casino, despite Daley's mob friends, for example, Freddie Barbara's involvement in the HDO scandal - heard his wife (minority business owner) sold the trucking company for millions (lots of millions) and Lisa remained mum, no mob stuff going on around here....doesn't she read Kass' column?
Post a Comment