Pantagraph.com Weather forecast, local radar and more
NewsWednesday, February 27, 2008 8:20 PM CST
Comments Comments (24) | E-mail this page E-mail this page | Print this page Print this page | Enlarge type Enlarge type | Reduce type Reduce type | Search archives Search archives | RSS RSS feeds | Add to My Yahoo! Add to My Yahoo!
Outing of governor in Rezko case won't deepen already big hole
By Kartikay Mehrotra
kartikay.mehrotra@lee.net
Advertisement

SPRINGFIELD — A federal judge’s outing of Gov. Rod Blagojevich as “Public Official A” in a federal corruption case won’t deepen the political hole the governor is already in, lawmakers and analysts said Tuesday.

U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve confirmed Monday it is Blagojevich who is referred to in court documents outlining Antoin “Tony” Rezko’s allegedly corrupt practices. The real estate developer is accused of collecting millions of dollars in campaign funds for state politicians in exchange for seats on state boards and commissions.

When the General Assembly convened Tuesday, lawmakers on both sides on the aisle were certainly aware of the news, but they hardly were shocked by it.

“The problems the General Assembly has had with the governor have stemmed from the way he’s governed, not from any of his personal problems,” said state Rep. David Miller, D-Lynwood. “Being named in this kind of thing is not necessarily the kiss of death.”

During the last year, since the governor’s ties to Rezko were publicized, the relationship between Blagojevich and the Legislature has been strained over policies and funding. That contention has spilled over into the start of this year’s legislative session.

“To the extent that the governor had a working credibility level with the Legislature, I assume that this impairs that even further,” said state Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon.

State Rep. Dan Reitz, DSteeleville, said the General Assembly has to get over the governor’s individual issues and work on passing legislation, most importantly, a budget.

“The relationship is fairly strange to start with,” Reitz said. “I’m just hoping that everyone just decides to get along and compromise on all the issues anyway.”

University of Illinois at Springfield political scientist Chris Mooney agrees with lawmakers, stating the impact of the governor’s relationship with Rezko has “already been factored into everybody’s behavior.”

Mooney said a key question will be whether Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, who has been Blagojevich’s chief ally in Springfield, begins to shy away from the governor.

“He’s given some signals that he may be interested in backing away from that support, and that may be occurring, but I don’t think this will have anything to do with it,” Mooney said.

Jones elected not to comment on the matter.

Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said Monday’s announcement doesn’t shift the administration’s position, which has been absolute denial of the alleged criminal ties between Blagojevich and Rezko and his associates.

“Yesterday’s disclosure repeats what’s already been reported, and doesn’t change our position,” Ottenhoff said. “So our hope is that legislators will base their decisions on the stimulus plan and other important issues based on their communities’ needs.”

Still, lawmakers do have a distraction to overcome and as state Rep. David Reis, R-Willow Hill, said, more allusions to corruption in Springfield could make it even more difficult for lawmakers to get on the same page with the governor.

“People are sick and tired of what’s going on in Springfield,” Reis said. “This is going to muddy the waters rather than clear them up, because everyone is going to be looking over their shoulder.”

Jury selection for the Rezko case will is scheduled to begin March 3.

Video
Most commented stories
Browse online archives
Recent issues:
Reader comments on this story - 24 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.

middle of the road wrote on Feb 27, 2008 10:18 PM:

" I don't believe there is a single person that can make it to a primary election for pres. that hasn't either been corrupted or has a ugly enough skeleton in the closet that they can forced in to playing ball on key issues. "

so depressing wrote on Feb 27, 2008 5:31 PM:

" Our government officials have developed this idea that they are untouchable due to the lack of ethics in our executive, legislative and judicial systems. They are so corrupt and compromised by greed and corporate money, they don’t understand who they are constitutionally charged to represent. Republicans or Democrats, it doesn’t matter. Until we ban PAC money and private financing of elections, they are up for the highest bidder and we get stuck holding the bill. It’s nothing more than corporate socialism. They’ll go through the motions, rat out some political liability, and the governor won’t get a thing. The only reason Ryan got what he did was because he was no longer an asset to the corporations and he didn’t have a Chicago machine to back him up. "

dwarf to Mule wrote on Feb 27, 2008 3:37 PM:

" Oh my! That *would* be horrible!

Fortunately, that's not even remotely what any Democrat is proposing, but continue on with your fear-mongering! Don't let facts or reason stop you! "

dwarf wrote on Feb 27, 2008 3:29 PM:

" So you are basically saying "Well, he hasn't had enough experience yet to become a conservative"?

Do you have any sense of how ridiculous that is?

to USN RET: I'm not seeing that article up online at the moment. I'd love to check it out if you can grab me a link! "

Obama is Corrupt wrote on Feb 27, 2008 1:32 PM:

" McCain has 40 years of public service to balance against any claims that he is linked to something "unsavory". Obama has zip. A few years as a state senator where he voted "present" instead of aye or nay every chance he got, 1 year in the US Senate (and 2 years campaigning for President), and his friendship and favors from crooks and corporations (see Dwarfs post). There's no denying this stuff, the Democrats just couldn't stomach Hillary as their candidate. "

USN RET wrote on Feb 27, 2008 12:41 PM:

" Sure Dwarf its in USA Today in the political section. And I was a little off it was 54,350 in contributions by the law firm. "

To: Dwarf from Gov't Oppressed Mule wrote on Feb 27, 2008 12:14 PM:

" You're right. Obama is very clear on his goals and how to achieve them. Balance the budget-Increase taxes by 20%. Every other issue? Let the gov't run everything and take the human considerations out of freedom. make it a free gov't of the elite for the oppression of everyone else. Great guy there. "

dwarf wrote on Feb 27, 2008 12:09 PM:

" I'll bite, USN RET. Where's the documentary evidence? You claim to have the goods, so let's see them. "

dwarf wrote on Feb 27, 2008 11:09 AM:

" I take it, to whomever's addressing me, that you haven't bothered watching the debates at all. Obama's perfectly clear not just on his goals - but the ways to accomplish them.

It's easy to say that, just because a guy gives pretty speeches that's all there is to him. It's a cheap shot, and inaccurate. "

USN RET wrote on Feb 27, 2008 11:09 AM:

" Dwarf: How about a law firm representing a Japanese drug company that gave Obama a 54,000 donation and he got them a tariff exemption saving them over 800,000 in taxes? "

To Dwarf wrote on Feb 27, 2008 10:14 AM:

" Just wondering, what are his "plans for the future and the company"? I know he's full of hope, but so far, that's about all I've heard. Oh yeah, he's going to "reach across the aisle" (something he's never done before). And he's going to somehow make the terrorists and dictators of the world love us again. "

to Obama is Corrupt wrote on Feb 27, 2008 10:12 AM:

" But that is the point, they all are corrupt.

What are you going to do when (and I do mean when) McCain is linked to something unsavory? Still vote for him? Or will you defend him? "

Obama is Corrupt wrote on Feb 27, 2008 9:57 AM:

" So he didn't know that he was buying property from a slumlord at below market prices? If that's true, then you're right, he's not corrupt, he's stupid. He just "lucked in" to this great real estate deal where he got to buy a house he couldn't afford for a fraction of what good old Tony was paying for the house next door. The ability of Democrats to look the other way when their guy gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar is amazing. The next 5 posts will be pointing to "corrupt" Republicans. Which is what I pointed out in my original post, all you can do is try to change the subject or say "they all do it". "

dwarf to Obama is Corrupt wrote on Feb 27, 2008 9:26 AM:

" This is just the kind of grabbing-at-straws I'd expect from a Conservative party whose time is past. It's just silly. Do you - personally - do background checks on everyone you conduct business with? It's a crazy standard. When he learned of Rezko's criminal background, he voluntarily purged his campaign of every Rezko-connected cent... that's about all I'd expect. Or do you really think he should have said, "Ooops! One of my supporters turned out to be a bad man! That does it; if some bad people like me, I'm out of the race!"

The Rezko story is as ridiculous as the McCain-sleeping-with-a-blond-lobbyist story. It detracts from what really matters - specifically what the candidates' plans are for their campaign, the future, and the country. "

to Obama is Corrupt wrote on Feb 27, 2008 9:03 AM:

" Like dwarf said, if you're going to play the "Obama is corrupt" game, you'll have to defend McCain with even more zeal. He's been in Washington a long time and has been involved in much worse than Obama. "

Obama is Corrupt wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:47 AM:

" Of course Obama is corrupt. He "grew up" as a Chicago politician, and accepted financing and financial favors from a criminal. The best his supporters can do is try and change the subject by saying "they all do it". "

dwarf wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:46 AM:

" You know, if conservatives want to play the "what-kind-of-person-gave-money-to-a-candidate" game, I think it's pretty clear that McCain has a ton more skeletons in his contributors' closets.

What, has everyone just forgotten about McCain's involvement in the Keating Five scandal which cost American citizens billions of dollars? "

Rolling Eyes wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:43 AM:

" “People are sick and tired of what’s going on in Springfield.” Um, isn't this going on in Chicago? ;) "

to What do you expect??? wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:31 AM:

" You know what? Even if Obama is in bed with Rezko and Daley, which I doubt, I'll take that evil over McCain, who is in bed with Bush, Cheney, and Rove.

Chicago, despite the corruption, is a wonderful city. There is always something to do. New public works projects add to the city. For the most part, crime is low for a city of its size. Public transportation is good. There is plenty of entertainment. The job market is good. Housing isn't completely out of control. Daley doesn't really get credit for this, but the corruption certainly isn't making Chicago a bad place.

On the other hand, we have Bush and his war and the deaths of tens (hundreds) of thousands on his hands. We've maxed out his Chinese Credit card several times. He appoints his equally incompetent friends to posititons of power. Manufacturing has all but disappeared under his watch. (Yeah, Clinton, NAFTA but has Bush fixed that? NO.) Our borders are wide open.

I'll take Daley's friends over Bush's friends any day. "

What do you expect??? wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:00 AM:

" When this state keeps voting in corrupt Chicago politicians, straight out of Daley's mold? Obama is no different, he's in bed with Rezko just the same. The libeal media just won't let that fact be known. "

Re: outrage wrote on Feb 27, 2008 7:11 AM:

" When you come to expect corruption from the gov's office... it doesn't make it right, but it doesn't sting as bad either. People are indifferent because everyone knew it was going on. "

TO OUTRAGE: wrote on Feb 27, 2008 6:09 AM:

" THEY have to get their duks in a row, before they file charges. Look how long it took to get the other "dirty dog" G. Ryan. "

Why? wrote on Feb 27, 2008 4:44 AM:

" Why isn't there a legal procedure in place to remove corrupt/unsuitable elected officials?? If there is one, what is it?? With IL's history of govenors behavior it's certainly time for a process of removal to be activated!!

"

Where is the outrage. wrote on Feb 26, 2008 10:11 PM:

" I find it interesting that no one thinks this will impact the Gov. Didn't we just hear all about a former Gov and his corruption trial? Why is this one going to be exempt from prosecution? I should think his ousting as Gov might impact his ability to govern. Or is this Gov. exempt - unlike the Lying Ryan...? Ryan denied the allegation too - why are we believing it this time? "
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?
 
Lee Enterprises Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2008, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy