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NewsThursday, September 20, 2007 11:50 PM CDT
GOP lawmakers: Governor's run a low point in state history
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PONTIAC — Two area Republican lawmakers criticized Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Thursday during a Pontiac Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

State Reps. Shane Cultra or Onarga and Keith Sommer of Morton said the Democratic governor’s battles with House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, show he is disengaged from the General Assembly and the leaders of his own party who control it. They noted he has even sued Madigan.

“We will look back in about 20 years and look at what the state government has done, and it will be a low point in the history of Illinois,” Cultra said. “I think it’s historic that Mike Madigan, a state chairman of the same party, is being sued.”

Sommer said establishing good relationships with officials is essential to representing the voters.

“I try to be positive, and sometimes people ask me about it being terribly frustrating, but you have to be there for the long run,” Sommer said. “We want to help represent the people of the districts.”

When asked about what will happen when lawmakers return to the Capitol on Oct. 2, Cultra said “who knows what will happen.”

The Pontiac Area Chamber of Commerce’s next session with a local politician will be with Livingston County Board Chairman Bill Flott. It will be at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 2 at Baby Bull’s Fine Dining, 1025 W. Reynolds St. There will be a $10 fee.

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Reader comments on this story - 10 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.

The Worst Governor wrote on Sep 21, 2007 4:13 PM:

" I think I'd rather vote for the lesser of two evils; in other words, where's Dan Walker when we need him? "

To jo wrote on Sep 21, 2007 3:54 PM:

" Why don't you read what this story is about and stick to this issue. "

Legacy wrote on Sep 21, 2007 3:34 PM:

" If the governor can succeed in destroying the democratic good ol boy network that runs this state, he may go down in history as the best thing to happen to Illinois "

Captain Fantastic wrote on Sep 21, 2007 1:48 PM:

" I'm telling you...we need a revolution in Illinois. Somebody and HO HUM are exactly right. Let all of us south of I-80 cede from the state of Chicago and the corrupt collars. Let us take our state back! Who's with me?? "

to: JJ wrote on Sep 21, 2007 10:27 AM:

" Guess they took one out of Bush's playbook? "

JJ wrote on Sep 21, 2007 8:48 AM:

" "We want to help represent the people of the districts.” Sure they do, ha ha. Just like the smoking ban that they LIED to the people so it was supposedly RIGHT thing to do. Read the OSHA report people, what you were told was a BIG FAT LIE. "

GOOD Politician wrote on Sep 21, 2007 8:45 AM:

" This is the chance for an honest, hard working politician to get in there and take hold of IL. Neither the Dems or the Republicans can come up with a decent candidate. We need someone good to step up and take the reins! "

J O wrote on Sep 21, 2007 8:41 AM:

" Independent Citizen: President's run a low point in U.S. History. "

Somebody. . . wrote on Sep 21, 2007 8:03 AM:

" needs to run for governor and run this state the way it should be run. The last two (Blago and Ryan) have run a lackluster, corrupt government. It would also be nice if the Chicago political machine had a little bit less influence in the government. I'm really tired about something that includes central Illinois getting shot down because it's not what Chicago wants. "

HO HUM wrote on Sep 21, 2007 7:58 AM:

" I HAVE NEVER DISLIKED A GOVERNOR AS MUCH AS THIS ONE. I CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT....IS HE FOR US OR AGAINST US? ONE THING FOR SURE, I DIDN'T VOTE FOR HIM THE FIRST TIME AND I SURELY DIDN'T VOTE FOR HIM THE SECOND TIME SO MY CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR AND I COME FROM A LONG LINE OF DEMOCRATS. SHALL I CHANGE PARTIES? "

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