Illinois Democrats play hardball with one of their own, could benefit GOP

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is calling for a special election for the U.S. Senate seat if its current occupant Roland Burris does not step down within two weeks.

Appearing on WGN radio this morning, Quinn said he believes the state can enact a special election that will force Burris out of office. Under Illinois law, appointments to Senate vacancies last until the next federal election, which is scheduled for next year. Burris was appointed by three weeks after Blagojevich’s Dec. 9 arrest on federal criminal charges of allegedly trying to sell the Senate seat for personal or political gain. But Attorney General Lisa Madigan suggested the appointment to the Senate is temporary until the next election. Lawmakers are proposing to move up the 2010 election for the Senate seat to May. Unlike his Democratic colleagues, Quinn supported holding a special election for the seat given up by President Barack Obama.

Since taking office Burris has been under a cloud of ethical scrutiny concerning his relationship with the disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Practically since Burris went to D.C., and not in the tradition of Jefferson Smith, Illinois leaders have demanded Burris resign his seat.

The special election could cost the state between $20 and $50 million. According to the Chicago Tribune, Sen. Matt Murphy (R-Palatine), who is sponsoring special-election legislation, said the balloting could cost half that amount or less and said the state could subsidize the costs to local election authorities by tapping $15 million set aside in the current budget for pork-barrel projects.

If a special election is held, Illinois Republicans will benefit in two ways. First, Quinn will not be able to appoint another Democrat to hold the seat. Secondly, Republicans can win the seat, provided the campaign of likely replacement Rep. Peter Roskam or Rep. Mark Kirk capitalizes on the corruption of the Democratic Party. Republicans need to hammer the Democratic establishment over supporting Blagojevich, failing to hold a special election instead of allowing the disgraced Blagojevich to name Burris to the Senate seat. Republicans could also benefit if a group of black Chiacgo aldermen keep their threat and buck the Democrats for supporting the ouster of Burris - although that threat is unlikely to be held in a general election.

House Minority Leader Tom Cross said a special election will restore trust to the people of Illinois.

“This (will) give the people of Illinois an opportunity to be involved,” Cross said at a news conference. “They don’t trust us, and one of the ways we can restore trust with them is to give them the opportunity to be involved in this process.”

A new morning brings a new governor, but ethics still a concern

Following a unanimous Senate vote Thursday afternoon, Rod Blagojevich is no longer governor of Illinois. A governor was cast out of office for the first time in Illinois history.

On Thursday Blagojevich appeared before the Senate to plea for his job. He addressed some of his accomplishments as governor, but never talked about the allegations of attempting to sell the former Senate seat of President Barack Obama. Even if he had, it wasn't going to matter. Blago was, as Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass calls him, "Dead Meat."

But, once the House impeached Blagojevich for corruption, his dismissal was a foregone conclusion. Blagojevich had few political allies and powerful enemies within his own party. House Speaker Michael Madigan and his daughter, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan are known foes of the governor and it's no secret that the elder Madigan wants his daughter to seek the state's highest political seat. Around the state though, Blago's removal has been soundly approved by most citizens. Even the cast of Spamalot got into the impeachment action with several Blago jokes inserted into the script during last night's performance.

But just because Blago is gone, that doesn't mean corruption in Illinois is over. On the contrary, corruption is still a real part of Illinois politics. It is up to the people to continue to watch the politicians and make sure they to the line. Gov. Pat Quinn, who was sworn in Thursday afternoon, has made a start by creating an independent ethics panel while he was still lieutenant governor. Ultimately though, it's the responsibility of the people to fight for clean and open government.

Despite protestation of innocence, Blagojevich should step aside for the good of Illinois

Is Gov. Rod Blagojevich channeling Richard Nixon's I am not a crook address?

His comments this afternoon that he has done nothing wrong are astounding. Now I know that in this nation a man is innocent until proven guilty, but I think there's enough evidence that's been released by the U.S. Attorney's office for the citizenry to make a fair judgement about the man.

At a press conference this afternoon Blago said:

I'm here to tell you right off the bat that I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing, that I intend to stay on the job and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight, I will fight, I will fight. Until I take my last breath. I have done nothing wrong. "And I'm not going to quit a job the people hired me to do, because of false accusations and a political lynch mob. Now that's what I'm going to do. Let me tell you what I'm not going to do. I'm not going to do what my accusers and political enemies have been doing. And that is talk about this case in 30 second sound bites on 'Meet the Press' or on the TV news. Now I'm dying to answer these charges, I am dying to show you how innocent I am. And I want to assure everyone who is here and everyone who's listening that I intend to answer every allegation that comes my way. However, I intend to answer them in the appropriate forum, in a court of law, and when I do, I am absolutely certain that I will be vindicated.

Again, the man is innocent until proven guilty. But until he has his day in court, Blago should step aside from his now severely hamstrung position, and allow the Lt. Governor to step into temporary leadership. The people of the state of Illinois deserve no less than exceptional leadership during these difficult economic times. With Blago's strained relationships with House Speaker Michael Madigan, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, running the state will be next to impossible for the governor. The legislature will fight any initiative by the governor, and it's possible the governor will veto legislation that comes across his desk out of spite.

Pay to Play may mean Blago's silence has a price

The Illinois General Assembly will meet Monday to discuss a possible impeachment against Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan appeared before the Illinois Supreme Court at week's end to argue that Blagojevich, who is in federal cross hairs on corruption charges, is unfit to hold his office.

There are lots of political ramifications from Blagojevich's arrogant criminality that has this state in a legislative and legal upheaval. But the primary ramification is the immediate fallout of a possible impeachment.

If Blagojevich is impeached, it's likely that he's not going to go down alone. A product of the corrupt Chicago Political Machine, Blagojevich might try to cut a deal with the feds and name names. This could have a lot of legislators with Chicago ties examine the skeletons in their own closets before agreeing to oust the governor. It's reasonable to assume that these lawmakers are urging Blago to step down before they have to make that decision.

If Blago does step down, his finances need to be carefully scrutinized. Reports say that Blago owes nearly $2 million in legal fees stemming from three years of being under the scrutiny of federal agents. It would not be surprising if Blago twisted Illinois' history of pay to play to his own gains to cover legal expenses and his shattered future.

Blago has shown that everything in Illinois is for sale. Nothing is sacred, and that will include his silence. And it's not outside reason that there will be plenty of tainted lawmakers ponying up cash to make sure he stays silent.