Pantagraph.com Weather forecast, local radar and more
NewsMonday, September 10, 2007 10:47 AM CDT
Infighting, gamesmanship dash progress in Springfield
Advertisement

SPRINGFIELD -- The three most powerful figures in state government began the year with three different goals — and ended up with three failures.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich sought a huge health care expansion. Senate President Emil Jones vowed to overhaul education funding. And House Speaker Michael Madigan wanted to reduce the state’s massive debt.

But their hopes were dashed by the infighting, gamesmanship and generally bizarre events of a legislative session that began in the spring, dragged on throughout the summer and now threatens to stretch into autumn.

“This whole legislative session has been a total debacle,” said Larry McKeon, a former state representative. “It’s been a lose-lose situation for everyone.”

It didn’t have to be that way.

Democrats began the year in control of the governor’s office and every statewide office, and had expanded their majorities in the Legislature. They had the governmental muscle to make changes — if they could agree on what changes to make.

But differences in policy and personality between the three leaders, all Chicago Democrats, quickly halted movement.

Blagojevich and Jones worked closely to seek money for their top priorities, but did little to build coalitions with other legislators. At the same time, they faced opposition from Madigan, who didn’t share their interest in raising money from a huge business tax or a major gambling expansion.

The three ended up trading insults more than ideas, and none got what he’d wanted.

McKeon, a former Chicago Democrat who now lives in Springfield and keeps a close eye on the Legislature, places the blame squarely on Blagojevich.

He said Blagojevich alienated lawmakers with insults and demands rather than courting their support. When his ideas flopped, McKeon says, the governor basically refused to listen to anyone else’s ideas, blocking all movement.

“He’s never really shown the competence and leadership skills that are needed to bring people together,” McKeon said. “I just don’t think the man is competent as a chief executive officer, and he’s certainly not teachable.”

Blagojevich’s office did not return a call seeking comment.

But the governor has made it clear that he considers Madigan chiefly responsible for the unproductive session. He and Jones have accused Madigan of turning his back on people who need the state’s help and conspiring with Republicans to block progress.

The three Democratic leaders each can argue they achieved at least part of their goals.

Blagojevich began seeking legislative approval for a batch of programs meant to ensure everyone in the state has access to health care. Lawmakers wouldn’t go along, so now he says he will use his executive power to launch some of the programs without their approval.

Jim Duffett, executive director of the Illinois Campaign for Better Health Care, praises Blagojevich for refusing to give up, but says his current efforts won’t solve the problem and lawmakers must take action or face the consequences in next year’s elections.

Jones started the year by demanding “real change to the outrageous, inequitable system that funds our schools,” and said the state needed more revenue for education.

The budget ended up increasing school funding by $597 million, or 9 percent. That’s the largest one-year increase in history. Yet there was no real change to how education money is raised or allocated, and no new revenue source to allow more increases.

Madigan’s goal was to strengthen the state’s financial status by reducing its $100 billion in long-term debt, particularly for government pension systems. He wound up supporting a bare-bones budget that does nothing to fundamentally change the state’s financial outlook.

Spokesman Steve Brown notes the budget does include, after a two-year absence, the money for the state’s annual pension contribution.

But the group that came up with the $100 billion debt estimate, the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, said this year’s budget doesn’t address the state’s real problems.

“The hole just got bigger,” said the committee’s president, Eden Martin.

Take a look
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, left, and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich , right, greet each other prior to the start of budget talks in the ballroom at the Executive Mansion Monday, July 9, 2007 in Springfield, Ill. Seated at right is John Harris, Blagojevich's chief of staff. (AP Photo/The State Journal-Register, Jonathan Kirshner)
Video
Most commented stories
Browse online archives
Recent issues:
Reader comments on this story - 18 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.

garfield wrote on Sep 10, 2007 9:08 AM:

" politician= stupid. What is so difficult to understand? "

To Chuckie wrote on Sep 10, 2007 8:02 AM:

" How about a nice, yearly tax on SUV's? Say 300-500 a year added to the registration? Or a tax on every car that gets less than 25 mph? Those people driving the gas guzzlers just wont get it. Look at the harm they are causing with polution, and what happens to the other person's small car in an accident. Of course that would mean the state would be telling everyone what kind of car to drive. "

Hey Chuckie wrote on Sep 10, 2007 7:46 AM:

" How about raise the booze tax. They'll be so snockered they won't know what hit em! Of course our boozing politicians would never do that! "

Fatso wrote on Sep 10, 2007 5:44 AM:

" "Chuckie's" right in tune with Demo 'thinking'. The answer is more 'revenue enhancement'. And regressive taxation. Which always leads to more tobacco taxes. Which always leads to more out of State purchases. And less use of the product. Which always means less revenue enhancement. Which always leads to more tobacco taxes. Which always leads to.... Oh well, even is "Chuckie" isn't able able to figure this one out, someone eventually will. But you can bet it won't be a Democrat. "

BILLY BOB wrote on Sep 9, 2007 9:12 PM:

" It ani't over yet.......Madigan holds the key to the impeachment box. THe State Constitution allows him the authority to call for an investigation into Blagos actions. The house of representatives has the responsibility to hold hearings and supeona witnesses. An inquiry into Blagos actions. Madigan is also a democrat so we may not see his happen. We need a referendum for recall in Illinois. If it comes up vote yes!!!! "

Chuckie wrote on Sep 9, 2007 8:51 PM:

" The answer to all of the problems is always revenues. And the answer to all revenue short comings should be clear to everyone. Hello, raise tobacco taxes. The smokers won't figure it out and will keep on puffing away. Ofcourse, they will have their heads tilted slightly and one eye closed due to the smoke getting in their other eye. "

reality check wrote on Sep 9, 2007 8:05 PM:

" Governor Rod is a joke. Any Dem's out there want to defend him? If not, why are you going to try and re-elect him in 3 years. Seriously. George Ryan didn't run for re-election because he knew he wouldn't even make it through the primary and it would be a huge embarassment. Do the Dem's have the integrity to hold their guy up as an example of what you get/deserve when you betray the people that put you into office? "

Blowdryer and Jones Need Prison wrote on Sep 9, 2007 6:57 PM:

" for the blatant theft that has occurred during these two crooks watch they should be indicted, tried, and when found guilty of GROSS OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT, sent to prison for a long, long, time. Oh and forget about any pensions those should be made payable to the general fund of the State of Illinois. "

To Downstater wrote on Sep 9, 2007 6:51 PM:

" You said volumes of wisdom in one sentence sir, and I can not wait to remove these chicago gangsters out of office once and for all. That sentiment is shared and echoed throughout the state. "

whatever wrote on Sep 9, 2007 6:21 PM:

" It doesn't matter what anyone says. Blagojevich was put in office twice by the majority of voters in Illinois. I was not one of them. Those of us that didn't vote for him are the ones getting screwed here. Actually, those of us that voted for the only person that could have beat him (i.e. Judy Topinka) are the ones getting screwed. The Green party candidate, Russ Whitney, didn't have a snow balls chance in hell of winning the last election, and yet some of you morons voted for him anyway. All that did was put more votes in the Blago. column. I didn't like Topinka either but, she was the lesser of the 2 evils. My vote wasn't for Topinka, it was against Blagojevich, and I knew a vote for Whitney was no good. I wanted Blago. OUT of office, and the only way to do it was to vote for Topinka. Some of you might say, "she wouldn't have been any better." I guess we will never know will we? "

Several wrote on Sep 9, 2007 6:16 PM:

" downstate Democrats who were in attendance at the first Blagojevich election ball noted how many of the Guv's supporters had the appearance of being " sleazy and thuggish " . Guess from what has unfolded bore out this perception ! "

To: Wow! wrote on Sep 9, 2007 6:15 PM:

" That isn't a t-shirt. It is a polo shirt. Business casual all the way. "

The Gov... wrote on Sep 9, 2007 5:29 PM:

" has ruined ......any political aspirations that he may have had, due to his childish behavior. While making a fool of himslef, and taking this state down the toilet he as single handedly ruined his political career. Good going Blago.....I hope you enjoy your ride into obscurity. You and your crooks have been exposed to all of the hard working people from this state. Now go get some help.... "

JRTG wrote on Sep 9, 2007 4:32 PM:

" Maybe I'll just start running for office. Heck I can't do worse than these bozos!! "

Wow! wrote on Sep 9, 2007 4:15 PM:

" The CEO of Illinois shows up to work in a T-shirt...what kind of message does that send? "

Downstater wrote on Sep 9, 2007 3:51 PM:

" These guys make the 'Three Stooges' look like MENSA members. We can only count the days until next election when we'll get our opportunity to vote them out of office. "

Same old... wrote on Sep 9, 2007 3:41 PM:

" stuff! Yawn!!! "

moonie wrote on Sep 9, 2007 2:21 PM:

" oh we have problems alright, a boy wonder that you all re elected but got his raise..hey by the way did you all get your raise too, no that was a GOOSE from the people that were elected "

Add your own comments

Please read the rules before posting comments.

You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?