Feud sparks 2nd probe

[Walt Starr]

Feud sparks 2nd probe
Madigan, Devine investigate charge of trading jobs for donations

By John Chase and Rick Pearson
Tribune staff reporters
Published January 14, 2005


Already locked in a bitter and public family feud, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has now come under the scrutiny of state and county prosecutors who have launched a probe of allegations that a top adviser to the governor traded appointments for campaign funds.

Blagojevich acknowledged Thursday that he had been informed by Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan that she and Cook County State's Atty. Dick Devine had begun investigating charges leveled by Ald. Richard Mell (33rd), the governor's father-in-law and onetime political mentor.

The governor said a letter from Madigan was delivered to his office on Monday requesting materials relevant to the accusations. Blagojevich the next day asked his inspector general to look into the charges. The governor's aides insist they were not yet aware of Madigan's letter.

<snip>

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0501140233jan14,1,5988778.story?coll=chi-newslocal-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

This article has a statement from Judy Baar Topinka who is the only statewide elected Republican in Illinois and is expected to try a run against Blagojevich, but what this article doesn't talk about is a possible primary challenge to Blagojevich next year in the Democratic Party from none other than Lisa Madigan.

Keep your eyes on this one, DUers. The Illinois Governor seat could possibly be up for grabs.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

1. Yeah Walt, I agree with you.

While I believe this thing should be thoroughly investigated by someone, either Lisa Madigan or Dick Devine, who have subpoena power, etc, isn't this just typical of Cook County Democrats?

Play right into the hands of the Goopers and let the circular firing squad commence.

[Walt Starr]

2. If Madigan chooses to challenge Blagojevich

there is no other choice, MAdigan MUST be chosen. It will be the only way to hold onto the governor's seat so soon after winning it!

[Wisc Badger]

3. Surely you do not condone selling influence??

Nah could never happen in the honest land of Lincoln. (Sarcasm off)
:evilgrin: :toast:

[Walt Starr]

4. Blagojevich could end up being the Dem's Geroge Ryan

And jobs for donations could be the Democrat's version of licenses for bribes.

:(

[barb162]

10. "condone selling influence" isn't every ambassador really a

person who gave a lot to campaigns? Joe Kennedy and hundreds of others, both pugs and Dems, for decades and decades.

[Walt Starr]

5. slight bump

This could be a prelude to a blue state going red.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

6. Listening to the report last night on WTTW's Chicago Tonight

I said to my husband "I don't think Blago is that stupid" but then again this being the Illinois Dems one never knows.

If this charge by Dick Mell turns out to be the truth, then let the chips fall where they may.

That being said though, I wouldn't trust Alderman Mell as far as I could throw him.

[Walt Starr]

7. Since Mell is Blagojevich's Father-in-law

:shrug: who knows what's going on?

Every Republican I knew couldn't believe George Ryan would be stupid enough to be tied up in the licenses for bribes scandal and look what happened there!

[Walt Starr]

8. Interesting, I'm going to have to bookmark this thread

in order to reference it when the fecal matter begins hitting the rotational device in Illinois.

[Philly Buster]

9. I can't see Illinois going red

Not as long as there is a Daley machine in Chicago. Even Obama admits to the funny business that goes on there.