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NewsThursday, August 23, 2007 6:49 PM CDT
Blagojevich stings Democrats with budget cuts
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SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich sent a stinging message to Democrats in the Illinois House on Thursday by vetoing their projects in the 2008 budget while leaving Republican requests for cash untouched.

The move, an apparent outgrowth of the feuding between Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan, had rank-and-file lawmakers incensed.

“It makes me furious because it’s bad policy no matter how you look at it,” said state Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion.

Instead of seeing cities and social service agencies in his Southern Illinois district divvy up more than $600,000 in state funding, residents will be penalized because of a rift between two Chicago politicians, Bradley said.

Cities and villages in his district that will lose out on state grants include Carterville, Johnston City, Christopher, Benton and West Frankfort.

“People are fed up with it,” said Bradley.

At the same time, residents in Republican House districts will see money.

State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, for example, asked for $40,000 to repair the Watson Road bridge in Murphysboro and $40,000 for improvements in Pinckneyville.

The fighting between Blagojevich and Madigan has been under way for years. It has been especially intense this spring.

Madigan, for example, led the House in a series of moves that embarrassed the governor, including one in which the House unanimously defeated the governor’s plan to raise taxes on businesses.

Blagojevich says Madigan, who is chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, often acts like a Republican.

State Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, will not see numerous projects coming to his Central Illinois district, including a $250,000 grant to run Operation Ceasefire, which is dedicated to fighting gun violence.

Also axed out of the budget was $25,000 for the Macon County Fair and $25,000 for a new parking lot for the village of Oreana.

“Is this a statesman’s actions or a politician’s actions?” Flider asked.

But residents in neighboring legislative districts represented by Republicans will see money for projects, including $60,000 for the Logan County Courthouse historical library.

Even Republicans and Democrats in the Senate whose projects weren’t cut from the budget questioned the governor’s move.

“Even though I got my projects, I don’t think this is a fair way to run government,” said state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline.

State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, agreed that people represented by House Democrats shouldn’t be shortchanged.

“Their people are taxpayers, too,” he said.

In the Quad Cities region, which is represented by Democrats, the governor cut funds for a new library in Geneseo, a new water system in Port Byron and improvements to the Rock Island County animal shelter.

On Chicago’s south side, Democratic lawmakers saw their requests for funding also get cut.

Police and fire officials in Monee and Peotone, for example, were in line to receive grants for new laptop computers. They also had wanted $100,000 to repair the roof and parking lot at the Will County Senior Services center. All were cut by the governor.

State Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville, said he was “elated” that his projects survived and is now hoping Blagojevich won’t later withhold the money in a political move.

“Let’s hope that we’re not just being used as a message to the speaker,” he said.

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Reader comments on this story - 40 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Ask a Soldier wrote on Sep 15, 2007 12:00 PM:

" That post earlier about FEMA camps is true. They were built (in some cases converted from old military bases) to house illegal immigrants and government dissenters. These are forced labor camps for use when the president declares martial law. But don't take my word for it, just google AR 210-35. This is the Army Regulation (updated in 2005) for running these camps. Hope you all like prison food! "

budget cuts wrote on Aug 24, 2007 6:28 PM:

" I thought we had plenty of money. Enough to provide 13% raises. Is something out of whack or what? I think it is time to vote if you ask me. vote the bums out. "

Why do we have a wrote on Aug 24, 2007 2:05 PM:

" Govenor? He didn't just stink Democrats...there YOUTH in Illinois will suffer due to budget cuts for funding for YOUTH Educators in Illinois. Why make children suffer, for one persons lack of leadership & responsiblity. "

to: Replican wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:54 PM:

" ... or they could go out and work and *gasp* spend their own money on their healthcare. People aren't prevented from having healthcare, they would just rather spend their money on satellite TV than pony up for it. "

Illinois FEMA Camps wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:43 PM:

" Greenfield - Two federal correctional "satellite prison camps" serving Marion - populated as above. Shawnee National Forest - Pope County - This area has seen heavy traffic of foreign military equipment and troops via Illinois Central Railroad, which runs through the area. Suspected location is unknown, but may be close to Vienna and Shawnee correctional centers, located 6 mi. west of Dixon Springs. Savanna Army Depot - NW area of state on Mississippi River. Lincoln, Sheridan, Menard, Pontiac, Galesburg - State prison facilities equipped for major expansion and close or adjacent to highways & railroad tracks. Kankakee - Abandoned industrial area on west side of town (Rt.17 & Main) designated as FEMA detention site. Equipped with water tower, incinerator, a small train yard behind it and the rear of the facility is surrounded by barbed wire facing inwards. "

Illinois FEMA Camps wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:43 PM:

" Pekin - This Federal satellite prison camp is also on the Illinois River, just south of Peoria. It supplements the federal penitentiary in Marion, which is equipped to handle additional population outside on the grounds. Chanute AFB - Rantoul, near Champaign/Urbana - This closed base had WWII - era barracks that were condemned and torn down, but the medical facility was upgraded and additional fencing put up in the area. More info needed. Marion - Federal Penitentiary and satellite prison camp inside Crab Orchard Nat´l Wildlife Refuge. Manned, staffed, populated fully. "

Illinois FEMA Loations wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:43 PM:

" Marseilles - Located on the Illinois River off Interstate 80 on Hwy 6. It is a relatively small facility with a cap of 1400 prisoners. Though it is small it is designed like prison facilities with barred windows, but the real smoking gun is the presence of military vehicles. Being located on the Illinois River it is possible that prisoners will be brought in by water as well as by road and air. This facility is approximately 75 miles west of Chicago. National Guard training area nearby. Scott AFB - Barbed wire prisoner enclosure reported to exist just off-base. More info needed, as another facility on-base is believed to exist. "

You want something to REALLY worry about??? wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:39 PM:

" Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR), a subsidiary of defense contractor Halliburton Co., is building large imprisonment camps to herd you into once they take your guns away or have another huge terror attack all over your great COUNTRY. They claim it is to hold a flood of immigrants, last time I check it's happened and is still happening. Like how we fight a war on terror with open borders and are bringing over record numbers of muslims... Don't believe me, look it up.. Google REX84, CFAR, SPP, Bilderberg, Amero, North American Union, Alex Jones, Ron Paul, PDD 51, terrorstorm, police state, NACSCO!!! Buy Guns, Food, and Gold! Long live the republic. "

You want something to worry about???? wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:36 PM:

" General Yevgeni Primakov, the ex-head of the inhuman and despicable Soviet secret service The KGB, as well as Markus Wolfe, the ex-boss of the ''STASI'' (the equally feared former East German ''State Security Police'') have been hired by the United States Government by the Department of Homeland Security as experts to reinforce the control in the US of all it's citizens. And here all you fools are ninnying about $600,000 and if it Dem/Rup. WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP!!! Google REX84, CFAR, SPP, Bilderberg, Amero, North American Union, Alex Jones, Ron Paul, PDD 51, terrorstorm, police state, NACSCO!!! Buy Guns, Food, and Gold! Long live the republic. "

To: Reality to You Still Have Bush wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:34 PM:

" Do you honestly think people living in a cave 1/2 way around the world could pull off something like 9/11. How did they plant the Thermate/Thermite used to detonate the buildings? The gov't orchestrated 9/11 like Hitler had his Reichstag. The Neocons need you to be a scared little citzen willing to give up your bill of rights and constitution in the name of safety to fight the terroism they orchestrate. It's all based on the Problem, Reaction, Solution. They present the problem and come in as our saviors. WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP! Google REX84, CFAR, SPP, Bilderberg, Amero, North American Union, Alex Jones, Ron Paul, PDD 51, terrorstorm, police state, NACSCO!!! Buy Guns, Food, and Gold! Long live the republic. "

Slight of Hand wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:33 PM:

" Good ole Blago is at is again. First the schools have yet to receive any increase in state aid. The House and Senate must first pass legislation to pass on the fund to schools for an increase in the foundation level. Second what is not known is that HE HAS ALSO CUT THE FOLLOWING STATE AID TO SCHOOLS - ,Parental Guardian Programs/Transportation Reimbursement – Reduced by 17,500,000 School safety and educational improvement block grant – reduced by 10,100,000 HE WILL CONTINUE TO TOUT HOW HE INCREASED STATE AID TO SCHOOLS BUT HE ALSO TOOK AWAY WITH THE OTHER HAND. Sounds good Huh. Signed a Concerned School Board President "

gary wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:28 PM:

" what a laugh...say the truth about losers like rod and emil, then their supporters talk about how they hate the President "

Hmmmmmm wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:17 PM:

" I still cant figure out how or why they all got a 9-13% pay increase...... We dont all get that, luck if we get 3%.. Lets cut there pay and use it for some of these projects he decided to cut. "

Wonder wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:16 PM:

" Who will benefit from the healthcare plan he has? Anyone want to bet it'll be the residents of Chicago that live off of the government and vote for socialists like Blogo! "

Much Ado about nothing. wrote on Aug 24, 2007 11:35 AM:

" He cut $600,000. A little perspective here. What is the total amount of the budget. How many cornfield boxes houses do we have right here in town being paid for by one family. "

to demo wrote on Aug 24, 2007 10:03 AM:

" i definately agree!!! "

Reality to You Still Have Bush wrote on Aug 24, 2007 9:53 AM:

" I agree with others in saying that you can't compare national issues with state issues. Also, with current events aside, do you know what state of economy and finance the State of Texas was before Bush became governor there? Then do you know how much better it became during his terms as governor? He was attempting to implement that into a national program with all of his staff and advisors, but then some anarchist on the other side of the world decided to put fear into the whole world. I don't agree with everything Bush has done but I don't blame him for a lot of things that have happened. Blago has no plan and he doesn't listen to anybody. Just the past two weeks he approved a 9.6 percent pay hike for the state politicians and then an extra hike shortly thereafter. For what? They haven't gotten anything resolved and he spends $6,000 of our taxpayer money per roundtrip to chauffer him between Chicago and Springfield when he is to be living in Springfield. He also spent what $400 to $600 of our taxes on a haircut? I'm surprised taxes aren't higher than what they already are. "

Republican wrote on Aug 24, 2007 9:51 AM:

" What does Replican stand for? Shame on Emperor Rod Blagojevich for not fixing the roof on the Will County Senior Services center. "

We're All Disposable wrote on Aug 24, 2007 9:47 AM:

" I think your missing the big point...there is no difference between a democrat and a republican....they are all on the same bribery pay roll serving whatever interest has the biggest check or the most pictures of them with their underage male prostitutes. Politics is the biggest play in history, the illusion of choice. One party gets in and robs/loots. Americans think oh that party was bad lets put the other one in...so now it is their turn to rob and loot. Back and forth we go, thinking we've done great to vote one party out when really they are all just laughing to the bank while our constitution and bill of rights had been destroyed. WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP Google REX84, CFAR, SPP, Bilderberg, Amero, North American Union, Alex Jones, Ron Paul, PDD 51, terrorstorm, police state, NACSCO!!! Buy Guns, Food, and Gold! Long live the republic. "

Replican wrote on Aug 24, 2007 9:04 AM:

" I approve of cutting all budgets, the spendocrats could learn a lesson. However, this idea of universal healthcare(for the poor) is ridiculous. Why should poor people have any access to doctors whatsoever, the whole idea is preposterous! If they wanted to have healthcare they should have been born into a family with money. Isn't it enough that we live in a society where we are forced to accept the fact that all of these low-income "types" have the same civil rights as us(status quo)? Boy, I long for the good 'ol days! You know the ones that I am talking about;). "

New Headline wrote on Aug 24, 2007 8:55 AM:

" The headline for this article should be "Governor likes to do things but the things are different than other things and stuff." "

The Madness of King Blago wrote on Aug 24, 2007 8:28 AM:

" I got no problem with cutting pork out of the budget, the only problem here is King Blago isn't really cutting. It's more like he's carving. He has some insane desire to burden our state with universal health care for the poor (gee, that won't cost much) and thinks that if he starts it with $500 million dollars that the legislature will be compelled to continue funding when it runs out of money, in about three months. We can only pray that the legislature has the backbone to tell him "You created this mess, it's your problem." There are a lot of interesting articles out there about other states that have tried to provide health care, but very few success stories. "

FED UP wrote on Aug 24, 2007 8:23 AM:

" NEXT ELECTION - GET RID OF ROD "

to:yo wrote on Aug 24, 2007 7:39 AM:

" And while your at it let Chicago pay for ALL the special projects up there with no taxpayer help. All except for one thing. The bus to bus their projects dwellers back. "

Question wrote on Aug 24, 2007 7:30 AM:

" Does it really make a difference if we are Republican or Democrat at this point? The point should be that families all over this state right now are suffering because of a silly feud between the gov and Madigan. When it comes to the budget of our state, please put all personal feelings aside and take care of the voters. If you don't, it just might come back to bite you in the rear. "

demo... wrote on Aug 24, 2007 7:21 AM:

" i'm a dem...but, let's be honest ...how much did you cut from your salary rod? how much does it cost tax payers for you fly back and forth from chicago to springfield every week? why do you keep wasting out money...bush is an idiot...and i'm not sure, but i think you could be his twin brother... "

2010? wrote on Aug 24, 2007 7:20 AM:

" Madigan for Governor....Lisa Madigan, that is!!!! "

to: "you still have Bush" wrote on Aug 24, 2007 4:33 AM:

" In case you haven't noticed, this article is about the Illinois Governor NOT the President. People like you always start talking about Ryan or Bush. Are you saying Blagojevich is justified for being a moron because Bush is a moron? Here ya go, I am a Republican. I voted for Bush in 2000, and for Kerry in 2004. I voted for Blagojevich in 2002, and for Topinka in 2006. Thats what I do. I listen to all candidates, and then decide who gets my vote. I don't just vote for whoever the person is with a little 'D', or 'R' next to their name. I also don't start talking about irrelevent issues to justify my mistakes. Blagojevich is an idiot, and God willing will never see another term in office. "

to Yo wrote on Aug 24, 2007 4:08 AM:

" What do you think state tax is for? Local projects. Every town, even yours get state $. If they didn't, why towns like Hudson or Danvers would dry up. Then people would move to Bloomington and you wouldl whine about that. "

jimmy b. wrote on Aug 24, 2007 3:25 AM:

" "President Bush/Gov Who???"...Please NEVER try to put our state problems on any equal basis with our national problems....the state problems can be solved so easily (with common sense) while the national problems are really a world-wide problem that will require years of work to hopefully solve. The next Governor of Illlinois has a lot of work to do to fix what this Cook County Liberal Demo has done. "

U Still Have Bush wrote on Aug 23, 2007 10:55 PM:

" Yes, us Democrats have to put-up with Blago, but at least the biggest loser is left for the Republicans --- President what's his name!! Talk about idiots gone mad!! "

Wow . . . wrote on Aug 23, 2007 10:11 PM:

" Did King Rod change political beliefs? This is definitely a slap on the face to all the dummycratic voters and politicians. Good luck in 2010! "

Concerned Citizen wrote on Aug 23, 2007 9:51 PM:

" Regardless of political affiliation, this is no way for an elected official to act. With all due respect to the Office of Governor, this man is acting like a 2 year old instead of a mature adult. Sounds like "turf wars" aren't just relegated to street gangs. If this governor cared about the people of this state, the best thing he could do for them is resign. "

allsub wrote on Aug 23, 2007 9:48 PM:

" funny thing about that operation ceasefire, in january 2006 blago made a big deal and put out a press release about how great it was and how he was increasing funding for it. With this veto he basically cut all funding for it. "

realevergreen wrote on Aug 23, 2007 9:43 PM:

" Whatever you call him, Madigan at least has some common sense. It's time for a recall, we have no governor. "

new and outraged wrote on Aug 23, 2007 9:32 PM:

" I just moved to the IL and this is a pathetic governor running the show. Both Rep. and Dems pay tax dollars and deserved an equal share for their projects regardless of political affiliation. Is there a way to impeach this idiot and his followers before they do any further damage to the state? "

WOW Democrats United wrote on Aug 23, 2007 9:29 PM:

" This is proof of exactly what the democratic party stands for. Dissention, Arrogance, Chaos, Calamity, and complete Anarchy among themselves. You tell me how a group as disoriented as this could possibly run anything other than a marble game? "

yo wrote on Aug 23, 2007 9:19 PM:

" most of these things that the govenor cut should be paid for buy the community that wants them.. laptops for firetruck, the communities should be able to have a car wash and pay for them. a parking lot for a community, you have taxes that come in use them, let your county pay for your county animal shelter, if your county fair can not cover its own expenses close it down and go to the fair in the next county. pork just should not happen in the state budget. "

What wrote on Aug 23, 2007 9:15 PM:

" has these clown gone republican? "

I guess.. wrote on Aug 23, 2007 8:51 PM:

" Blago has no further political aspirations? I thinks he's gone mad!! "

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