Cleaning Up Illinois... One Tollway Booth at a Time

The best dividend from ousting Governor Rod Blagojevich may be getting rid of those irritating Open Road Tolling signs that went up shortly before he was last up for election in 2006. In case you forgot, those signs were installed at a cost of around $15,000 each, for a total of almost $500,000 cost to the taxpayers. And for what, exactly?

Of course, now that Pat Quinn is poised to be guv, he's attacking the low hanging fruit (I mean, signs), and eliminating the tollway signs, as one of the most obvious examples of Blagojevich's egomanical tendencies, will get Quinn some good initial press. But, where were Quinn's protests in 2006, when Quinn was behind Blago 100%? Remember that Quinn said in 2006 that Blago was "a person who's honest and one of integrity" and that "I have confidence the governor does the right thing all the time."

Where was Quinn's objection back then, pray tell?

Lake County Young Republicans Sponsor Impeachment Forum to Packed House in Libertyville

As we've been plugging for a few days now, the newly-rejuvenated Lake County Young Republicans sponsored a forum on the impeachment and trial proceedings against Governor Rod Blagojevich at Austin's in Libertyville. The event was well attended by many Lake County Republicans, young and old, moderates and conservatives. All were united, however, in their desire to get the inside scoop on the deliberations and procedures used by the House in their review of the evidence and vote to impeach the Governor.

YR President Collin Corbett emceed the program, which first featured State Reps. Ed Sullivan, Jr., Sandy Cole and Suzanne Bassi, who discussed the impeachment proceedings in the House. Next, State Senators Dan Duffy and Matt Murphy addressed the crowd, although they were not able to talk about the trial in the Senate, since they are essentially the jurors in the trial. Q&A followed.

All in all, a fantastic and well-attended first effort by the YRs. We look forward to much more from this new generation of Lake County Republicans in the weeks and months ahead. Here's Thursday's front page write-up in the Daily Herald about the YRs, in case you missed it.

Some pix:

YR President Collin Corbett warms up the crowd.

The crowd.

Keith Gray, Senator Dan Duffy and Steve Greenberg.

GOP County Chairman Dan Venturi, Joseph Mancino and County Board Member Michael Talbett

Rod Drobinski, Aaron Lawlor and Kelley Folino.

Mark Kirk: Blagojevich Barred from Stimulus Funds

I'm in the middle of processing video from tonight's YR event on the impeachment/trial of the guv, so I'm just pasting in the press release direct from Congressman Mark Kirk's office, as follows:

Kirk: Blagojevich Barred from Stimulus Funds

Kirk-Foster Amendment included in House economic stimulus package; Illinois General Assembly to appropriate billions until Blagojevich removed from office

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Bill Foster (D-Ill.) successfully attached their bipartisan amendment to President Obama's economic stimulus package yesterday blocking all federal funds to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. The Kirk-Foster Amendment directs Illinois' share of the stimulus to the Illinois General Assembly until Governor Blagojevich is removed from office. The Kirk-Foster Amendment was attached to the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" during a full meeting of the House Appropriations Committee late Wednesday.

"Rod Blagojevich has consistently refused to do what is in the best interest of the people of Illinois and resign," Congressman Kirk said. "As the Congress prepares to approve billions of dollars for Illinois, we must ensure the governor is not allowed to use these funds to give himself or others a parting gift. The Illinois General Assembly will be the steward of the stimulus funds until Governor Blagojevich is removed from office."
"The allegations that have been made against Gov. Rod Blagojevich call into question his fitness to distribute federal funds in an effective, fair and ethical manner," Congressman Foster said. "I am proud to work with Rep. Mark Kirk to ensure that the Governor does not have the opportunity to misuse stimulus funding at the expense of our constituents in Illinois."

According to the Congressional Research Service, there are broad powers for the Congress to attach conditions to federal spending to states. In the 104th Congress (1995-96), Congress enacted the Brown amendment allocating TANF funding to the respective legislatures – not the governors. Additionally, state supreme courts upheld state legislative control for federal block grant funds. In Shapp v. Sloan (1977) the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the legislature has ultimate authority to appropriate federal block grants.

The amendment text is below.

AMENDMENT TO AMERICAN RECOVERY AND
REINVESTMENT BILL
OFFERED BY MR. KIRK OF ILLINOIS

Page 11, after line 10, insert the following:
SEC. 1112. ADDITIONAL ASSURANCE OF APPROPRIATE USE
OF FUNDS.

None of the funds provided by this Act may be made available to the State of Illinois, or any agency of the State, unless (1) the use of such funds by the State is approved in legislation enacted by the State after the date of the enactment of this Act, or (2) Rod R. Blagojevich no longer holds the office of Governor of the State of Illinois. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any funds provided directly to a unit of local government (1) by a Federal department or agency or (2) by an established formula from the state.

Congressman Mark Kirk: No Dough for Blago!

Well, since Blago's own party so far has been a miserable failure at reigning him in and keeping him honest, to say nothing of allowing him to saddle us with a new U.S. Senator that he hand-picked (after being turned down by at least one wiser and less egomanical person), it looks like the GOP has to step in. While the trial of Blago in the state senate finally gets underway, Blago's still Blago, and he's still the governor, so there are obvious concerns as to what he might do if he has control over the millions (billions?) of dollars of federal stimulus (read: debt our children and grandchildren will have to work to pay off) that is expected to be flowing Illinois' way.

Enter Congressman Mark Kirk.

Yesterday, members of the House Appropriations Committee moved to block Blago from having any control over the stimulus money, via an amendment to the stimulus bill that was sponsored by Mark Kirk and Dem Congressman Bill Foster. The amendment requires that the funds be distributed by the state legislature, not the governor. See more background here.

Of course, with the inept Dem-controlled General Assembly, that's perhaps not much of an improvement, but it least it keeps Blago's grimy paws off the dough.

We also note that Kirk's position on Appropriations is definitely a powerful committee position that comes in real handy, as we see here. We look forward to Kirk's continuing advancement in Congress, which can only benefit us here back in Illinois and the 10th District.

REMINDER: The Lake County Young Republicans will be hosting a great event tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Austin's in Libertyville, featuring a plethora of our GOP state GA members---including the newly-minted Senator Dan Duffy---to discuss the impeachment (and presumed conviction) of the guv. Click here for more details.

The event, and the rejuvenated YRs, have gotten the attention of the Daily Herald. Read about them here.

A Few Nice Things to Say About Barack Obama From the GOP

With the historic day now upon us, we thought it was the least we could do to say a few nice things about Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America. We probably owe it to him after some of the less kind things we've said over the last year, although I stand behind everything we've said.

First, we really do hope that Obama is successful in turning the economic state of this country around. This simply isn't fun for anyone... ask anyone whose house has been foreclosed on, who can't pay a bill, or who has lost a job or is nervous about losing one. No matter what one's political leanings are, we simply can't afford to hope that Obama fails, just to prove we were right. Of course, we can hope that he turns things around and then we vote him out in four years, but that's for another post.

Next, so far, it seems that Obama has done a better than expected job with some of his administration picks. Many of them have issues and to be sure, there are some raving liberals (even proclaimed socialists), but on the whole, I think there is more center/balance there than I figured he would have. If you doubt me, read the news accounts of how some of the real left-wing zealots are bitterly disappointed by Obama's picks so far... if they are pissed off, that's gotta be a good thing.

Also, for better or for worse, Obama is enjoying enormous popularity right now. While I personally think that the mainstream media has driven a lot of this, plus a massive movement of people somehow swept up in a wave of groupthink, or simply desperate for a hero/messiah, Obama has the chance to capitalize on that popularity and do some real good for the country. He's going to need it, if he intends to govern from something closer to the center than the Nancy Pelosi/Harry Reid block of the legislative branch, which is enjoying rock-bottom approval ratings right now.

Finally, it's great that the country has elected an African-American as President. While I firmly believe that voting for anyone because of race is just as wrong as voting against someone for their race, there is no denying that racial discrimination has existed and continues to exist in this country, and the struggle for racial equality has been a long one for many, and we're not there yet. But having the first African-American President goes a long way towards fulfilling the dream that all people should be judged on the quality of their character, not their race.

So, let's all take time to congratulate the new President, who stated in his victory speech that he would be 'our' President, too. I hope he meant it, and I wish and pray that he is successful in bringing this country out of the troubled times we find ourselves in today.

10TH DISTRICT REALITY CHECK: In other news, Ellen of the Tenth thinks that the peanut butter/salmonella outbreak is Mark Kirk's fault. No joke.

ALSO HEARD: Congressman Peter Roskam continues to express interest in running for the 'Burris' U.S. Senate seat in 2010, but acknowledges that Mark Kirk will be a "very, very strong candidate"... would Roskam defer to Kirk? Well, Roskam notes that he's a "big Mark Kirk fan." Draw your own conclusions. Frankly, if Mark is going to have a chance, he will need the full endorsement and help of conservatives like Roskam, so we shall see what we shall see...

Lake County Young Republicans Land Local Pols for Hard-Hitting Impeachment Update

A newly-rejuvenated Lake County Young Republicans group is starting off the new year with a bang, with an "Impeachment Update" planned for this coming Thursday, January 22nd, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Austin's in Libertyville (just across the road from Lake County Republican Headquarters on Peterson Road).

To help explain the impeachment proceedings and their impact on the state, as well as how they will likely effect the future of the Republican Party in Illinois, the Lake County YR's have assembled an impressive team of elected officials, including Senator Matt Murphy, Senator Dan Duffy, Representative Ed Sullivan, Representative Sandy Cole, Representative Suzie Bassi and others. You can download the YR press release here. The event is free, but the YRs ask that you RSVP.

For more information or to RSVP, contact the YRs at lakecountyyrs@gmail.com

Hats off to the young'uns for putting this together, and let's hope it's a sign of some badly-needed new blood getting things going for the GOP.

Might It Be Kirk vs. Schakowsky in 2010 for Senate?

Well, now that Roland "Tombstone" Burris has been officially welcomed to the U.S. Senate (by the same Senate Democrats who turned him out into the rain just last week, but hey, all is now forgiven, guys), speculation turns to whether Burris will run in 2010 to retain the seat for a six-year term, and also whether he will face a primary challenge. Once all that is considered, it's time to think about who the Dem nominee might face on the GOP side.

People are now speculating a bit more strongly that Burris may face an inter-party challenge in 2010, but some are not convinced. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) wants us to remember that she really, really wanted that seat when Blago was trying to sell it (although I have not seen anyone seriously suggest yet that Schakowsky offered or was offered anything for it) and she still apparently really, really wants it, as she appears open to considering a primary run against Burris, per Politico.

Will Burris even run? I have to believe he will, unless his health fails or he makes a supreme gaff or gaffs in the next few months that convince him (and his supersized ego) that he can't possibly win even the primary. After all, he appeared to completely resist overtures by the U.S. Senate Dem leadership that offering to limit his appointment to only one term might be a way to overcome the Dem's objections to seating Burris. Burris never gave in, and Harry Reid and Dick Durbin blinked. So I would give better than even money that Burris will be in the race.

Turning to the GOP, we all know that 10th District Congressman Mark Kirk has been mulling this seat, and it seems clear that if a special election had been held, he would have dived in, as it would have meant he did not have to quit his day job in Congress.

Chris Cillizza at Washingtonpost.com implies that GOP leadership is still trying to convince Kirk to run in 2010, but I'm not sure if Cillizza means state GOPers, national leadership, or both.

So, could this set us up for a Kirk vs. Schakowsky battle in 2010? This would pit a raging liberal female Dem against a moderately liberal GOP opponent. Kirk will no doubt have some trouble with some of the right-wing purists, especially if he's challenged in a primary. But if he survived, he'd probably have more state-wide appeal than a liberal Chicago Dem like Schakowsy and her convicted felon husband Bob Creamer. That ain't gonna play well in Peoria (literally).

Some commentors here have questioned Kirk's ability to raise enough money, especially with the Team Obama apparatus lurking in the background. A valid concern, but Kirk's fundraising prowess is well-proven; it's just a case of applying that on a larger scale.

Should Kirk run? I'm not yet convinced, mostly because we need him here in the 10th (I know, I'm selfish). But if he does, we'll be in his corner here and support him every step of the way.

At least if Schakowsy runs, Dan Seals could run for her seat in the 9th District (where he's at least a resident), and maybe we'd finally get him out of our hair here in the 10th CD.