Number of comments: 1 Kevin Robinson, who writes over at Chicagoist, just put up an article talking about one of my favorite topics - me :) Actually, while Kevin is inexplicably complimentary to me (thanks Kevin), the real takeaway from the article in my opinion is not just whether elected officials use social media, [...]
Number of comments: 1 This is from an e-mail my father sent me a couple years ago. Happy Veterans' Day to him and to all the other veterans who have sacrificed for our Country. It is the SOLDIER, not the reporter,who has given us freedom of the press. It is the SOLDIER, not the' [...]
Number of comments: 0 The following is a briefing report that I have been graciously allowed to publish for you courtesy of its author, respected U of I economist, Dr. Geoffrey Hewings. (There is a graph missing from the version below, basically because I couldn't get it to format the right way). Dr. Hewings' [...]
Number of comments: 2 I'm not sure but I think that I have just made my decision as to who to endorse for Cook County Board President. I think that after you watch this whole video, your mind may be made up as well.Boo-yah is right!' [...]
Number of comments: 0 I know it's been forever since I've regularly been posting here - you can blame Facebook and Twitter for that - but for anybody that still checks in here, below is a video from one of the news stories about my announcement yesterday that I am running for Cook County' [...]
Number of comments: 1 On this day, I'll simply pass on some words from our President:This weekend, our family will join millions of others in celebrating America. We will enjoy the glow of fireworks, the taste of barbeque, and the company of good friends. As we all celebrate this weekend, let's also remember the [...]
Number of comments: 1 At some point while you're enjoying this holiday weekend, try to remember the meaning behind this, and every, Memorial Day.It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.It is the' [...]
Number of comments: 6 Below is a letter that was sent to all legislators by Dawn Clark Netsch, former State Senator, former Comptroller, and one of my former law school professors.I think a lot of Dawn, but in her support of campaign contribution limit legislation (a bill on which I am a Chief Co-Sponsor), [...]
Number of comments: 0 Just because my blogging has been, um, sporadic of late, doesn't mean that other elected officials don't have something to say. To that end, join me in welcoming Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Frank Avila to the blogosphere. It's hard to imagine a MWRD commissioner more passionate about their job [...]
Number of comments: 2 While I have my share of criticisms about much of the recent output of the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board (which I'll discuss at a later date), I want to give credit where credit is due. They put out a cogent and thoughtful editorial in support of HB2234, Rep. Harris' bill [...]
Number of comments: 2 I'll try to get a more substantive post up this weekend, but in the interim, I'll just let this video speak for itself. Ladies and Gentlemen, our former Governor:View more news videos at: http://www.nbcchicago.com/video. [...]
Number of comments: 4 Here is the latest reason why I have been a Mike Lawrence fan for a quite some time. While the Chicago Tribune continues to fawn over the recommendations of Governor Quinn's Illinois Reform Commission, Mike actually takes the time to analyze the bigger picture to try to get at why [...]
Number of comments: 1 In keeping with the spirit of this holiday weekend, what better time than Easter to resurrect my blog? Having been mercilessly taunted and ceaselessly cajoled by a number of readers, and having had sufficient time to get back into something resembling stride after a pretty hectic first quarter of the [...]
Number of comments: 0 So what could all of these groups possibly have in common? I'm proud to say that it's that they support my candidacy to become the next Congressman in Illinois' 5th CD.American Federation of County State & Municipal Employees***AFSCME #993 (State, County & Municipal)***AFSCME Council 31***American Muslim Task Force***Association of Fire [...]
Number of comments: 6 He used to portray himself as a modern-day JFK Jr., but apparently Governor Blagojevich has now decided to channel other historical figures in his 'Look at me, I'm a Martyr' tour.Impeached Gov. Blagojevich, on the first leg of his media blitz timed to the start of his impeachment trial, in' [...]
Number of comments: 2 Just when you think that Illinois politics can't get any stranger, along comes the Governor to smack you upside the head and prove you wrong. In the immediate aftermath of his impeachment, the Governor shamelessly brought out health care recipients to use as human shields aimed at deflecting attention away' [...]
Number of comments: 1 Everyone, regardless of politics or party, has to recognize and appreciate the historic significance of this Inauguration Day. There are few times in history during which you appreciate that you are actually 'in the moment' at the time that the moment is actually happening, but this is one of those [...]
(I remembered seeing this photo a while ago, but it took me a while to track it down. I hope that we can all appreciate the juxtaposition of the sign behind Dr. King, on which you can see the words 'Why We Can't', in light of tomorrow when our country' [...]
Number of comments: 3 Here's my Friday night appearance on the Rachel Maddow show discussing the impeachment of the Governor..msnbcLinks {font-size:11px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #999; margin-top: 5px; background: transparent; text-align: center; width: 425px;} .msnbcLinks a {text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px;' [...]
Number of comments: 2 What a day. For now, I'll just put up a portion of my comments from today's floor debate.The rest of the final quote was as follows: "My Illinois is not the Illinois of George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich. Our Illinois is the Illinois of Abraham Lincoln and Paul Simon and" [...]
Number of comments: 0 2008 may have been many things, but boring wasn't one of them. Here's to a Happy and Healthy New Year to all of my friends, readers, and constituents. I wish you all the best. [...]
Because I find nothing amusing about the current events in our state's capitol, I haven't made light of the situation in any way. That being said, the following take on the Grinch classic was too entertaining not to pass on to all of you. Enjoy. [...]
Number of comments: 0 What a year it has been. And while we all catch our breath from the highs and lows that we've seen over the last few months, I hope that we can take this opportunity to remember those people and things that are really important, and try to keep those people' [...]
Number of comments: 3 To say that I've been busy is an understatement, but in the Coincidental Timing Department, comes this bit of news from Common Cause. A federal district court in Connecticut turned down a constitutional challenge to that state's recently passed pay-to-play ban:The court held that the law, one of the strictest [...]
For myriad reasons, my blogging output has obviously been lacking of late. But I just read a great article that I would be remiss to not pass on to readers. Mike Lawrence, of whom I have always been a fan, (and who just stepped down as the Director of SIU's' [...]
Number of comments: 0 With so much going on in the world, from a troubled economy and unprecedented terrorist attacks, to the routine strife and aggravations that we encounter in our daily lives, it can be understandably easy to dwell on the things that upset us.But let me suggest that today serve us as [...]
Number of comments: 0 I had the privilege today, as I have for many years now, to spend part of Veterans Day at a memorial event in the North Center area of my district. Every year, I'm surprised at the relatively small turnout, but I was even more so this year in light of [...]
Number of comments: 3 I'm just stopping by the office for a minute and wanted to put a quick post up. Suffice it to say that I don't think that we'll soon, if ever, see election turnout like this again in our lifetime. Although part of me hopes that civic duty fever will stay' [...]
And it looks like it's a Con Con blogging hat trick today. I'm thinking that the push for a Constitutional Convention is going to get a huge boost when word of this gets out.Gov. Rod Blagojevich said today that he doesn't support a convention to rewrite the state's 1970 constitution [...]
Number of comments: 1 Okay Okay. I get it. As I've been reminded by multiple messages in the last few days, I've completely slacked off on the blogging. And not to make excuses, but it's been a combination of post-session burnout and most of the focus being on national issues, which really isn't my [...]
Number of comments: 0 The stakes couldn't be higher and the sparks will be flying as Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain square off in the last of their three debates.So come join me, friends, supporters and neighbors as we get together in Roscoe Village to watch what should be a barn burner.We' [...]
I've been bemoaning the lack of media coverage about the upcoming Constitutional Convention vote for some time now, so I'd be remiss not to give credit where credit is due. And in this case, it's to the Chicago Tribune, which had an excellent editorial in support of a Con-Con in' [...]
Number of comments: 2 The last several years have brought about countless new ways to integrate technology into campaigns but this is by far the best use I've seen to date to help tap into a grassroots movement.The Obama campaign has an iPhone app that puts most every aspect of the campaign right into' [...]
Number of comments: 0 If you're like me, your plans to go to Tuesday night's Cubs game have been, um, changed.But what hasn't changed in the showdown in Nashville between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain as they meet for the second of their three debates.So come join me, friends, supporters and neighbors' [...]
Number of comments: 0 They win 97 games and dominate their division. They send 8 players to the All-Star game. But once again, I swore that I wouldn't get sucked in. In fact, this year I waited until the regular season was almost finished before letting myself believe, then convincing myself, that this really' [...]
For those who are interested in hearing more about the issue of a Consitutional Convention, I will be appearing on a panel hosted by the Chicago Republican Women's Network.The event will take place TONIGHT, at 6:00p.m. at English, 444 North LaSalle Street.The other members of the panel include Jeff Mays,' [...]
Part of me can't believe it finally happened, part of me can't believe it took this long. But barring something completely unforeseen, HB824, the pay-to-play ban, will take effect on January 1, 2009.Only in Illinois does it take a Presidential nominee getting involved in order to pass a common sense [...]
I've waited. I've bitten my tongue. But it's time.
Thanks to Eddie Vedder for a great soundtrack for this season.
Nothing like watching a playoff game, the ivy turning red on the outfield wall, counting down the outs until a championship. The memories of the Marlins debacle are still fresh in my [...]
Number of comments: 6 It's hardly a secret that the Governor and I don't see eye to eye. In fact, for reasons mostly unknown to me (yet not regretted), there has always existed a tension between us, both political and personal, even when we initially campaigned in unison back in 1995-96.
His style of governance, [...]
I've been so busy, I forgot to post a number of upcoming events. I'll likely repost some of them as we get closer to the dates, but here is the list for right now.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th
TOWN HALL MEETING
w/ Rep. John Fritchey
7:00p.m.
Lincoln Park Library, 1150 West Fullerton Avenue
-------------------------------
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th
CONSTITUTIONAL [...]
Number of comments: 10 I rarely write about national politics on this blog, but I just read an article that really struck a nerve. As you'll no doubt recall, not that long ago, detractors of Sen. Obama pilloried him ad nauseum for the comments made by his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright.Well, CNN has [...]
Number of comments: 16 Awful. Simply terrible.
Sarah Palin's speech had all the cadence of those fat guys who dance at the Bulls games. And I haven't heard a voice like that since Lily Tomlin was working as the switchboard operator. My biggest concern if she were to ascend to the Presidency isn't whether she [...]
Hopefully I'll be wrong, but this one seems to have sucker bet written all over it. Governor Blagojevich has bet Missouri Governor Matt Blunt, that the Illini would beat the Tigers when the two teams take to the gridiron this evening.
But this wager has a bit of a twist [...]
Number of comments: 0 Here are some of the highlights of tonight's schedule. All times are Denver time.
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Honorable Howard Dean
Video & Remarks: Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King
The Honorable John Lewis
Member of the US House of Representatives, Georgia
Rev. Bernice King
Daughter of the late Dr. King
Martin Luther King III
Oldest son [...]
Number of comments: 0 Wow. What a couple of days it has been. Monday was somewhat of a whirlwind, with the excitement of the beginning of the Convention tempered by the publicly fractured nature of the Illinois Democratic Party as well as the Governor's amendatory veto of the ethics bill. (An issue that is [...]
Number of comments: 0 No real theme to this post, just thought I'd share a few photos from inside the Pepsi Center on Monday night.
The Illinois media contingent was obviously in full force. As a result, I had to chance to do a segment with WIND's Big John and Cisco in person for a [...]
Number of comments: 7 Instead of putting up new posts for the convention, I'll just keep updating this one for the next couple of days.
I just arrived in Denver a few hours ago and can tell you that for this week at least, downtown Denver is Obamaville. The Illinois contingent is already here in [...]
After three years of trying to block the pay to play ban, Governor Blagojevich nevertheless now finds it sitting on his desk, staring at him, all but begging him to sign it. So as the clock continues to run down on the Governor's time period in which to act, the [...]
Number of comments: 2 In the hyperfast media campaign environment that we now live, Barack's campaign wasted no time going up on the air to blast McCain for not knowing how many houses he owns. (Must be nice) In case you haven't seen it, here's the ad. I think it's pretty damn good. [...]
Number of comments: 3 Tonight's the Night!
Join me and 42nd Ward Democratic Committeeman John Corrigan, both freshly home from Denver, in order to join friends, supporters and enthusiastic Democrats in a great downtown location to watch this once-in-a lifetime event.
Can we watch history being made and have a good time doing it?
Yes we [...]
Number of comments: 0 Rich Miller has been giving continued coverage of the ongoing financial difficulties that have been facing a number of newspapers in our state, (and around the country for that matter). The latest rounds of cuts were laid out by Rich in a post today:
The Rockford Register Star laid off 13 [...]
Number of comments: 0 Here's a song that stands the test of time from an artist who will do the same.
Not a lot of Oscar winners who could sing like that and also bench press 350lbs. [...]
Number of comments: 0 I can't do this for all of the requests that I receive, but this promises to be a very good event. Plus, they will be auctioning of limited editions of the print above (created especially for this event) and selling a limited number of posters of it as well. I [...]
Number of comments: 2 We have some heady stuff coming up over the next week, so let's grab a little levity while we can. At the risk of posting yet another video on the blog, here we go:
By now, most of you have seen and heard about the McCain attack ad that uses images [...]
Number of comments: 3 (UPDATE: I've always liked to think that I'm smart enough to know when other people know better. So when people whom I know and trust tell me that a blog post, no matter how well-intentioned, may be somewhat over the top, and those same people have a pretty high threshold [...]
Number of comments: 0 It's not often that you hear tornado sirens going off in my neighborhood, or anywhere in the city for that matter. In fact, tonight is the first time in ages that I remember them going off in Chicago. But sure enough, I'm out running errands with our daughter in my [...]
Number of comments: 5 I finally got a chance to take a look at the new McCain attack ad that plays on the celebrity status of Barack in an attempt to convey a 'more sizzle than steak' image of our Democratic nominee. Something struck me as especially odd about the piece, but I had [...]
Number of comments: 1 Well, it looks like the last few weeks have gotten the better of my blogging duties. Apparently, the frequent pop-ups in my head that I should write about one subject or another, never quite made it from my brain to my keyboard.
In any event, I hope that everybody has been [...]
Number of comments: 2 Sometimes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Lately, the talk has increased about the need to restructure our public pension pension systems to one similar to those found in the public sector. The Mayor has a special commission looking at the idea, news outlets are increasing their [...]
Number of comments: 8 This one is a little long, but I think that it's worth a read, so bear with me.
As part of the select group of citizens who have just seen their sales tax rate go up to 11.25%, (I've yet to be able to fathom the rationale that the businesses in [...]
Number of comments: 0 And then there were none.
As the exit train picks up steam, word is that Abby Ottenhoff, the Governor's communication chief, is the latest to say 'see ya' to the Governor.
Her departure, comes in the wake of the adios parade led by Carol Ronen, Rebecca Rausch, and Sheila Nix.
According to Sneed:
Ottenhoff [...]
Number of comments: 1 (I started this post over the weekend and then forgot to finish it. My apologies to our 16th President.)
In any event, and with much thanks and credit to Wikipedia...
Yesterday marked the 150th anniversary of one of the most famous speeches in our country's history.
On June 16, 1858, upon accepting [...]
Number of comments: 1 You always hope that disaster doesn't strike close to home or affect those who you care about. When news of the flooding in downstate Illinois first broke, I called my friend Rep. Roger Eddy to see if there was anything that we could do up here to be of any [...]
Number of comments: 6 And the karma bus just keeps chugging along.
According to Sneed:
Sneed hears Governor Blago's top deputy gov, Sheila Nix, just quit. Is this the beginning of an office bailout now that the feds are fine-tuning their gun sights on Gov. Blago? Stay tuned.At one time, I thought that Sheila seemed nice [...]
Number of comments: 3 Whether Hilary Clinton wants to admit it or not, this thing is over:
Barack Obama effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday after a grueling marathon, based on an Associated Press tally of convention delegates, becoming the first black candidate ever to lead his party into a fall campaign for the [...]
If you've never seen Bo jam on a guitar (a homemade one, no less), then you really don't know Diddley. And the man had some moves to boot. Check this out:
CNN has a good overview of Bo Diddley's life here. [...]
Number of comments: 23 Proving the adage that desperate people in desperate situations say desperate things, the Governor once again showed that he will never let the facts get in the way of him speaking his mind.
Today's target - me. During his press conference today, the Governor was asked about his intentions with respect [...]
Number of comments: 0 The Tribune echoes my post of the other day urging the Governor to simply sign the pay to play ban, but not surprisingly, they said it in a much more eloquent manner.
There is one thing the legislature did do right. It sent to the governor an ethics bill.
Yes, you heard [...]
Even Stevie Wonder could have seen this one coming:
A temporary ban on an Illinois law requiring a moment of silence at the start of the school day was expanded Thursday to apply to all school districts across the state.
The decision by U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman will remain in place [...]
This is going to be great.
An announcement that the Blackhawks will play the Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field in the NHL's second outdoor Winter Classic could come as early as today, according to Comcast SportsNet.I saw a little bit of the Penguins/Sabres game that was played outdoors in Buffalo [...]
Number of comments: 10 From the "Bobbi Steele's Got Nothing on Me" Department comes news that former Sen. Ronen is the latest to take a ride on the taxpayer-funded Pension Gravy Train Express.
Former state Sen. Carol Ronen's brief gig in Gov. Blagojevich's office has proven as lucrative as a win in the Illinois Lottery. [...]
The House of Representatives will have an official remembrance of the life of Rep. Larry McKeon this Tuesday at approximately 11:30 or Noon in the House Chamber.
Larry and I were elected the same year from adjoining districts, and had the opportunity to work together on issues both in Springfield and [...]
When we announced the historic agreement on the pay-to-play bill two weeks ago, I knew that there were still some obstacles to be dealt with before the bill became law. This is, after all, Springfield, and we still have a Governor whose fundraising prowess flows in large part from individuals [...]
Number of comments: 2 This is one of the best stories about sportsmanship that I've seen in a long time. Even metaphorically, it stands in stark contrast to the situation in Springfield where members of the same party are unable to work together, not to mention the discord across the rotunda where bill-jacking has [...]
Number of comments: 3 The Legislative Research Unit has shown once again why they are a shining star when it comes to doing their job really well. The text below is from an e-mail which I just received from the LRU:
The Legislative Research Unit has compiled the documents on this Website to provide information [...]
Number of comments: 1 I just don't have the time (or energy) to fully elaborate on this right now, but suffice it to say that today, in the words of our Governor, was 'mostly and up day'. But in this case, it really was.
While a lot of people, myself included at times, never thought [...]
Number of comments: 9 This is from the gas station about four blocks from my house.
No joke. No typos.
When $4.09/gallon is the lowest price you can pay, things are BAD. [...]
Number of comments: 1 Today's Sun-Times took an innovative approach to try to get people's attention focused on the violence that is omnipresent across certain sections of Chicago. The obvious premise is that too many Chicagoans are simply turning their backs on the issue of gun violence.
This whole message unfortunately ties in well with [...]
Number of comments: 5 I got justifiably chided by a couple of people at the City Club lunch today for being lax in my blogging, so here you go:
Despite the fact that he was at the groundbreaking for the new Children's Memorial Hospital today, the Governor was apparently unable to find any kids to [...]
Number of comments: 7 As you may or may not know, the day before he was assasinated, Rev. King spoke at the Mason Temple in Memphis, delivering what is commonly referred to as the "I've been to the Mountaintop" speech.
Toward the end of the speech, Dr. King made prophetic comments that foreshadowed his quickly [...]
Number of comments: 3 I was going to look at something on the Board of Elections site and noticed that they have a brand new website.
It's not the easiest thing on the eyes, but it looks to be much more comprehensive than the old site. (Plus, it's refreshing to see a state website that [...]
Number of comments: 3 On Saturday, March 29, turn out your lights to show your support and commitment toward taking action to combat climate change. Earth Hour started in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and this year cities across the globe, such as Tel Aviv, Bangkok and Copenhagen, are taking action. The City of Chicago [...]
Number of comments: 18 So here I was, all ready to give the CTA kudos for a good green initiative - and they had to shoot themselves in their mass transit foot.
First, the good news. The CTA had the foresight to purchase a new Big Belly Solar Compactor. According to the BigBelly website, the [...]
Even though the details of Illinois’ approximately $58 Billion budget impact almost every aspect of our lives, many people don’t understand the issues involved in crafting the budget or don’t get an opportunity to share their thoughts on how the budget should look. To hear about the budget or provide [...]
Number of comments: 3 In the You Saw This Coming From a Mile Away Dept.: News outlets around the country ran a story the other day about the fact that a federal judge in Illinois is on the verge of expanding the pending lawsuit regarding the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act (aka, the [...]
Number of comments: 6 I know that for various reasons, there hasn't been a lot of politics, or much else, discussed here lately, and for that I apologize. But I have to write a post that I simply never imagined writing. Earlier tonight, I was informed that one of my closest friends, Pat Botterman, [...]
then just watch this video.
Disclaimer - I didn't make the video and don't know who did. But it's been quickly making the rounds around the capitol and is guaranteed to make you laugh. [...]
Number of comments: 1 I just wanted to put out a quick, but really sincere, thank you to all of the people who sent me an e-mail, called, posted on the blog, etc. regarding my whole Bell's issue. I heard from everybody from friends and colleagues, to complete strangers and even former U.S. Senator [...]
Number of comments: 23 Given that it only afflicts about 1 out of every 40,000 Americans, odds are that you don't know anybody that has or had Bell's Palsy. Now you do.
Upon returning home last Friday night, I noticed that it was a little tricky for me to take a drink from a bottle [...]
Number of comments: 2 In the interest of being fair and balanced, since I posted the Barack video, I've been asked to post the unofficial McCain version of the "Yes We Can" video. Take a look, you won't be disappointed. [...]
