So who do we run

[laylah]

for Gov next year? Blago and his minions are unethical, dishonorable, dishonest, and posses a GREAT lack of integrity. I know of what I speak. If I have my way, he will be a one-termer. Suggestions/flames anyone?

Jenn

[iconoclastic cat]

1. I'll tell you one thing:

I won't be voting for Blago or whatever wingnut the Repubs prop up. I've had it with all of them.

[laylah]

2. For those very reasons

I feel we need to start our search now for a candidate who walks the walk and talks the talk.

The current slime masters in control of this state are appalling! I have NEVER, in my 53 years, experienced such dishonor, mis-truths, lack of integrity, and abuse of authority as I have from the Blago machine. He lied from the git go about not allowing unethical behavior on the part of anyone in his administration. As you know, he went on to form an office for "civilians" to lodge complaints of unethical behaviors. I did just that, accompanied by a presentation of FACTS that would put an attorney to shame, only to have some yahoo respond by telling me it wasn't in their jurisdiction and they turned it over the Internal Affairs of the department I was complaining about! Needless to say, the rest is history. AND, not only that, but the young man in Julie Curry's office, who was helping me with the situation, had his job threatened and was ordered by higher ups to have no further contact with me. Yuppers, I want that man OUT!

Jenn

[greatauntoftriplets]

3. That's exactly why I did a write-in for Paul Vallas in 2002.

Something about Blago I just did not like.

[xBobx804]

4. Damn Ipasses

I sell those bloddy I-passes at Jewel, about one in every 5 people who buys them complains about Blago, I don't know what to tell them. We have to run somebody against him in the 2006 Primaries

[seventythree]

39. those will be his waterloo

[AllyCat]

5. Not from Illinois (anymore), but all the environmental groups

liked Blago when he ran. Don't know much about him...what's the scoop on his unethical behavior?

And the I-passes...seems like everyone is buying them. Is that because of the toll increases? Was this Blago's idea?

We had quite the surprise on I-90 coming back into WI on Saturday when the toll was raised AGAIN to $1????? Holy crap...are they all that much now? Supposed to meet family in Chicago in the next few weeks and I'm thinking Amtrak's special on the Hiawatha through mid-March is sounding like a bargain compared to paying all those tolls.

[laylah]

6. In a press release in early 2002,

he stated he would NOT tolerate any, zero, zip, NADA unethical behavior on the part of anyone in his administration. He even formed an Inspector General's office to service complaints from civilians, especially those that involved unethical behaviors.

In October, 2003, I submitted a presentation with hard evidence of unethical behavior on the part of DOC officials, from Springfield, to Chicago, to Moline, Illinois. I provided info that leaves no doubt what scum balls these people are.

I sent copies of this to the Inspector General's office, only to get the response that it wasn't in their jurisdiction and they turned it over to IDOC INTERNAL AFFAIRS office. Hell, District 2 Warden helped write the response to me from the admin of Internal Affairs...that tidbit was shared by a private assistant to the Director of Internal Affairs.

A young man in Julie Curry's office in Springfield, was helping me with my cause, finding that in fact, I had ALOT of revealing information about staff at East Moline Corrections. His job was threatened by the "higher ups"...can you say "corrections" if he continued to help...he stopped.

I also sent a packet to Lt. Gov. Quinn's office. These documents outlined conversations, dates, times, FACTS, etc. His communications director had to AUDACITY to call and threaten me, not once, but THREE times, during one call. She informed me if I kept up my "siege", it would only make it harder on my loved one who is incarcerated at East Moline for a drug related offense.

This is but a tip of the iceberg. Murderers have been released on work-release, from East Moline Corrections, contrary to Administrative Rules. Men with 3 - 5 Class X convictions (home invasion, MAJOR drug charges)have been released on work release. An arsonist was released, against Administrative Rules, because his grandmother knew the current IDOC director when he was Sheriff in her southern Illinois community.

The Gov's office and his office for ethical behavior Inspector General, have been notified and provided with INDISPUTABLE evidence of this, and they will be receiving more from others. They have chosen to turn their heads and ignore.

I will put ALL of my efforts into getting this man OUT of office and lobbying for some kind of oversight office for the Department of Corrections. Those people are out of control! The Gov knows this and has chosen to turn a blind eye. Mistake...BIG mistake :mad:

Jenn

[Radical Activist]

7. Have you given it to the Attorney General's office?

Some rumors are that Lisa Madigan might run for Governor. She might like the opportunity to investigate blago.

[laylah]

14. I'm weary of all of the

lies and blatant b.s. that has been thrown at me. I have never encountered this type of behavior by my elected officials, EVER. I was very active in Colorado. Those folks are a definite class act!

That said, I have kept all files, letters, communications, notes, etc. regarding this and plan on giving it to whomever will run against him.

Hell, I sent copies of everything to the newspapers in Chicago, the Quad Cities, and Springfield. I contacted John Kass(?) of the Tribune...he all but laughed in my face when I told him about Ms. Communications Director threatening me. I spoke with Mark of (Rock Island) Channel 8 Eyewitness News about latest developments at the local facility, he took my name and number, assuring me I would hear from him the following week. That was a week BEFORE the election.

Thanks for the Madigan idea, though. I will call her office today.

Jenn

[chicagojoe]

22. The tolls are now double if you use cash.

They remained the same if you use I-PASS.

[Radical Activist]

8. Glenn Poshard

I heard a rumor that he was thinking about it. Obviously the state made a big mistake when we elected Ryan over Poshard. He would be the perfect person to harness all the downstate anger at Blagojevich, which would be hard for a Chicago candidate to do in the primary.

When he lost last time he said a pro-life Democrat can't get elected in Illinois (even though he pledged not to push his pro-life views on the state.) He may be right. There are a lot single issue pro-choice voters that wouldn't vote for him, and that may have been part of the reason Poshard lost last time.

[xBobx804]

11. Poshard might not be up to is

Glen I belive is happy solving problems at Southern IL university, his is the Vice Chancellor for Facility Operations or something like that. All i know is taht he made my parking lot bigger. I have worked in the Democratic party in Jackson and DuPage counties. Some of the things that us Chicago area people forget is that our democrats are viewed as shady to the down state democrats.

If sure a good number of democrats of Jerry Costellio's district feel ripped off by some of Blago's Chicago area policies.

In terms of the I-passes, Blago doubled the tolls on all tollways unless you have a I-pass and that has really enraged many people who use the tollway frequently. And I hate selling the damn things every 5 minutes to customers who haven't researched and don't know where to put the blooding thing on thier car.

As a committieeman in DuPage County I am going to be focusing my energy with the Cegalis kids

[seventythree]

40. It's more than just a pro-choice sentiment

-- much more. As a congressman he signed on to a constitutional amendment banning abortion, if I'm not mistaken. He also voted to disallow women in uniform from getting an abortion from a military hospital, even though they were required to self-pay. This is a legal medical procedure at present, and to deny it to our women in the military is beyond the pale -- in places like Saudi Arabia, denying a military hospital abortion to a woman in uniform is tantamount to denying her a constitutional right because there is no civilian hospital/clinic alternative. But worst of all -- I confronted him with that vote and he lied to my face about it. Then he got very confrontational, trying to say as Governor he would have no say in such issues --I had to remind him of the veto power. No thanks -- I'll stick with the devil I know.

[Radical Activist]

9. Mike Boland would be nice

He's a progressive downstater, and I think it would help to have someone from downstate to beat Blago in the primary. I haven't heard any indication that he's interested in running for Governor, but I'd like to see him run for another office. He's a good guy that always ends up on the right side of things.

[laylah]

13. Mike Boland,

while a "nice guy" is as ineffective as the rest of them. He took on my cause in June '03. Then, he was told by the IDOC, it would be in "...his best interest not to put his signature on any more documents..." supporting my request. So, he dropped the ball.

For me, he is not an option.

Jenn

[seventythree]

41. You are making a joke, right?

[Radical Activist]

48. You don't like Boland?

I don't think he could raise the money and he probably wouldn't win. But I still think he would be a much better Governor. At least we would get universal health care in Illinois.

[Tweed]

10. You are kidding right? Blago will beat anyone who runs against him

Alot of people here don't like him, but the Republicans have no one to run and no Democrat could beat in the primary. Blago will be the governor for at least another term unless some scandal pops up.

[laylah]

15. Not if I can help it...

This man KNOWS, ALLOWS, and IGNORES the fact that IDOC plays with people's lives. He knows they lie, cheat, spin, and do whatever else they so choose to do therefore sanctioning the behavior by his inaction and the inaction on the part of others in his administration.

Jenn

[Tweed]

17. I understand and agree that Blago is not the best governor

However, no politician is going run against him in the primary. It would be political suicide. I would concentrate on Illinois House and Senate elections. The best you could do is try to contain the beast in my opinion.

[renaissanceguy]

21. I disagree.

I'm sick of this talk about "political suicide." It's time we hold our elected officials accountable, and replace the incompetent ones with those who will work for the people.

I say we should get someone from the grassroots. We did it with Obama.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.15841637

[Radical Activist]

19. Money is Blago's only advantage

I can't find a Democrat who really likes him that doesn't work for him. Blago seems to have forgotten that he was elected in the primary and general by winning the downstate vote. Most of downstate feels he has blown them off completely, and Springfield loathes him for destroying their town's economy with so many state job cuts. The state is the #1 employer in Springfield. It isn't like Chicago where there are a thousands other places in town to get a new job.

Blago came in third in Chicago in the primary last time. He has already lost one of his bases of support by alienating downstate and I can't imagine the toll increases are making him any more popular in Chicago.

The only barrier to someone beating him is his $10 million campaign fund. If a decent Democrat could raise enough money then Blago is most definitely beatable.

[Tweed]

23. Right and that's why I say no one will beat Blago

No Democrat could raise $10 million dollars against him. It's sad but true.

[Radical Activist]

25. I bet 5 or 6 Millions would be enough

I don't think a challenger would even need to match his money. Just run a decent campaign that capitalizes on wide discontent in the party. With Madigan's support it could happen.

[Tweed]

26. True, if Madigan supported the candidate, that kind of money could happen

But if it was for Lisa, that would be too suspicious. Dan Hynes clearly can not run a statewide race and win. So who's left? Jesse White? I think he's too timid. Corine Wood? She works too closely with Blago. Someone from the House? Then it would look like Madigan was picking one of his own to be the next governor. Someone from the Senate? That's more possible... I think a more interesting candidate would be a mayor from East St. Louis, one of the two Illinois Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, or Bloomington. Are any of those guys Dems?

[Radical Activist]

27. Rockford Mayor

Doug Scott. He's a good Democrat but I have no clue if he would do it. He also used to be a State Senator so he has state government experience. He works well with the unions in Rockford. I would support him if he ran. Interesting thought.

Someone on the rumor mill mentioned Pat Quinn to me. I have a hard time seeing Madigan back Quinn, but maybe he would take that over Blagojevich.

Sadly downstate doesn't have a lot of strong Democratic leadership. I suspect Madigan prefers it that way.

[laylah]

28. It was Quinn's

Director of Communications who threatened me by using my loved one, not once but 3 times. It was Quinn's Director of Communications that told my loved ones grown daughter that her Dad is a BAD MAN (he is in for a non-violent crime, drug related...illegal, absolutely...does that make him bad? Absolutely NOT. A representative of our state governement certainly does NOT say that to a child of an inmate)

When reported, NOTHING was done...for me, Quinn is not an option either. Lane Evans would be my choice. He has been around a very long time, was always extremely helpful to my mother before she passed away in Feb. '01, and does have the best interest of his constituents at heart. My only concern would be his health.

Jenn

[seventythree]

42. Scott was a rep

and he's close to Blago, but Cross was close to Daniels, his roomy, so who knows. Scott could get a great deal of support. I think he is a decent person. I think MJM's hatred for Quinn exceeds any animosity he might have for Blago -- don't count Lisa out in a gubernatorial primary, however. Remember she took out an incumbent, albeit a wounded one under indictment, to take her senate seat. She's not above a party fight, but it may be too soon for her as she has yet to distinguish herself as AG.

[CubsFan1982]

51. Scott is hopeless as mayor

Scott, if he ran for governor, wouldn't even carry Rockford, I suspect. There's a lot of disenchantment with him because of his passive, status quo leadership, if you can call it that. We've been losing jobs left and right, and all he can do is put together "task forces" to "look into" city issues. For instance, Rockford's downtown is pretty much a ghost town, aside from City Hall and the courthouse, and Scott ran on downtown revitalization. Our minor league baseball team, the Riverhawks, are moving from just southeast of downtown to a new ballpark in NE Winnebago Country, near I-90. The Riverhawks submitted a downtown ballpark plan to Scott, would've kept the team in the city. What does Scott do? Declares it unfeasible before even looking at it, and doesn't bother to engage in any negotiations on the proposal. That's really the straw that broke the camel's back with me, because I supported and worked for Doug four years ago, and had high expectations for him. He's really disappointed me, though, and there's a very strong independent candidate running (the Republican candidate is a joke). I'm considering going for the independent or not voting in the mayor's race at all.

[tritsofme]

12. I wouldn't be surprised to see Lisa Madigan challenge Blago

in the primary.

He doesn't always kiss Daley's ring, and that makes him vulnerable.

Don't hear much talk about him thinking he can play president in 2008 anymore.

I've also heard talk that the new ILGOP chairman wants to ax primaries and offer up a unity slate in the governor's race.

[Tweed]

16. Lisa doesn't stand a chance

She didn't the AG race by a huge margin and do you honestly think that the people of Illinois would elect a governor whose father is the Speaker of the House? I don't think so. It's too much Madigan.

[tritsofme]

18. I think that whatever the machine really wants will be on the ballot.

and who else are people going to vote for?

Alan Keyes?

[Tweed]

31. Agreed

But who is the 'machine' as in who has total control? You would have to say that Blago is at least a cog in it if not helping to run it. The machine is going to revolt against itself? I don't see this as being very likely.

[tritsofme]

33. I've always believed

that Daley and Madigan, in that order, have a stranglehold on the Illinois Democratic Party, and thus Illinois state politics.

The fact that Blago doesn't go along with every little thing must be very frustrating to them.

[Tweed]

35. Madigan does have a stranglehold on Illinois politics

Here's an example. I know a guy who ran downstate in an area that leans Republican. He was running for Illinois House. The internal and few external polling that existed kept getting better and better for my friend the Democrat. So Madigan pulled money out of his race and gave it to someone else who didn't have a chance in hell. Later an insider told him that Madigan pulled money from my friend's campaign because Madigan didn't want him to win. If my friend won, the Democratic power in the House would be too high, thus causing a potential backlash by the voters across the state against Democratic house members. "A Clean the House" campaign if you will would occur against us. I guess I see the logic in it, but it's very odd and guess work at best that people would revolt at the booths.

[tritsofme]

37. Not surprising at all

These guys really are thugs.

Obama is the best thing that has ever happened to the Democratic Party in Illinois.

And we can all thank Peter Fitzgerald for leaving us two very good and very independent US Attorneys.

[seventythree]

43. hard to believe

I'd need the numbers (your friend and the one the money went to), but it's not enough to be doing better -- you have to be within striking distance. True, MJM is pretty content, I believe, with having taken the southside, but I find it hard to believe that he would ever give up insulation.

[davsand]

20. Given the lack of contenders, I expect Blag will go unchallenged.

There really is not anybody out there who is willing or able to take on Blag in a primary. I know Blag has pissed off a lot of Dems across the state, but if you look at his approval numbers he's not doing all that badly with the general public. Last I saw, he was over 50%.

He's stepped up in the whole prescription drug issue, and that has earned him some support from folks who ordinarily would not be in his corner. He inherited a mess from Ryan, and most voters are aware of that. They see the Dem party insiders bitching about the lack of jobs and they dismiss it as people who are cranky because they didn't get a favor. (Never mind that services in Springfield are seriously swamped...)

Right now, Blag has something like 10 million in his election fund, and THAT by itself is a huge deterrent to anyone running against him in a primary. Not many folks can raise that amount for a primary race (and make no mistake, if there is a Dem primary, the Gov seat will be decided there. The GOP has almost run out of Ryans to run.)

I don't see Poshard stepping into the fray--in fact he's said repeatedly that he's not running again. (IF he did run again, I think it'd probably be a huge blow to his ego because he'd never make it out of that primary alive. I have SEEN his numbers from his last run and the women in Illinois will NOT support him.)

Lisa Madigan needs some more time in the AG's office before she takes on much more. She's not done a bad job at all, and I actually like her, but she needs to get more time in if she's gonna be seen downstate as anything except Mike Madigan's kid.

I wondered at one point if Hynes would take on Blag in a primary. There is some history there and after that Senate primary, Blag and Hynes are not the best of buddies. However, Hynes was seriously in debt after that last primary, and I don't know if he can put together the dogs to make another run. (I see that one as hanging on Illinois Labor. If Blag pisses them off much more, then Hynes will have the cash and support to give it a shot.)

Frankly, Blag was not my choice in his primary (in fact, I sent an absolutely scathing email to his campaign that I hope was lost with time.) He is, however our seated Dem governor. I figure he's ours, and I don't want to see any threat to that unless we have a stellar candidate to run against him.

This is like a lot of races in Illinois--not so much a matter of anybody being superior, but rather who has the cash and control to make it happen...

Laura

[Radical Activist]

24. He will have a very hard time winning in the general election

if the Republicans run a decent candidate. Illinois is not that strongly Democratic. Chicago will vote Democratic no matter who runs for Governor and the collar counties will always vote Republican. The swing voters are downstate and in suburban Cook. Downstate got him elected by a slim margin last time and they are not happy with him. I can only guess how Suburban Cook feels about the tollway increases.

No amount of money or campaigning will win Sangamon County for him this time, which is one of the largest block of swing voters in downstate. Springfield hates him along with a lot of downstate Dems. If he wants to be re-elected he has to do fairly well downstate and he will have a hard time turning around the negative feelings against him.

All Republicans have to do is nominate a moderate who can appeal to downstate voters. Topinka or Rauschenburger may be able to do that. Peter Fitzgerald would have a chance too. Chicago won't decide this election, but another weak Chicago showing for him would make a big loss in downstate even more devastating.

I'm seriously worried we won't keep the Governor's mansion if we don't knock this guy out in the primary. We need a better candidate.

[davsand]

29. If Blag emerges from the Primary will Dems vote against him?

I see Blag as vulnerable in Chicago in a primary--no doubt about it. I see Blag vulnerable downstate--again--there is not any real doubt about it.

HOWEVER, in a General election, I'm not sure I see Dems voting for a Republican even if they are pissed at Blag. I see Chicago going strong for any Dem in a general, and I see enough Dems downstate who will hold their noses and go ahead and vote for him. Additionally, unless Blag does something to piss off labor a bit more he's probably gonna have the token support. (Bear in mind, I am not sure he's gonna make it thru any primary if he pisses off labor much more than he has already.)

Additionally, I do not see the IL GOP having enough on the ball right now to put up a credible candidate for this election. You can't count them out, but you have to admit, they really are having some issues organizationally. If the wingnut faction holds true to form for them you are gonna see a GOP Governor's candidate that is someplace right of Attila the Hun. IF they learned a lesson with Keyes, they might do better with the Governor's race...

It is a crap shoot no matter how you slice it, however, I just don't see any Dems on the horizon right now with the name recognition or the money to take on Blag. That can change...

Peace to you!


Laura

[seventythree]

44. agree about the cash

but I'd love to see Tom Dart make that run. He had trouble last time with the money -- somehow I don't think his heart was in that run. What's he doing now, Laura, do you know? I think Topinka cold give Rod a good race in the general -- and I have this feeling she might be thinking about it. Would her own men undercut her as they have done so very often?

Rod may have decent approvals, now, but wait until the tax maniac ads start -- it won't matter that they were fees when he will have "raised road taxes by 100%." What's the comeback? I didn't raise your income tax? People don't care about what wasn't raised. X billions in debt (the ad won't say who created it, and it hasn't been reduced)and the Governor spends your tax dollars on flavored condoms!! You can just see it coming!

[madrchsod]

30. blago will not

lose the primary and prob won`t lose the election. i don`t see the republicans gaining enough strength to win the governorship this next time. remember this is illinois where you have quit or be indited to lose the governorship.

[Cuban_Liberal]

32. I'll give you 12 million reasons why Blago's gonna win.

Actually, by the time the primary rolls around, I'll likely be able t give you 25 million reasons. Blago is a two-termer, minimum.

[Tweed]

34. LOL

Good one Cuban. That's the problem, even if someone wanted to run against Blago and looked good on paper, they couldn't get grassroots support to counter 12 million+ dollars. Also, the more money Blago would spend in the primary, the more likely he would be to lose against the Republican in the general election.

[Cuban_Liberal]

38. I'm a very parctical, 'read 'em and weep' person.

The handwriting's already on the wall, and the only things people can do are a.) read it, or b.) blithely ignore it.

:)

[laylah]

36. Supporting evidence

of what Blago allows. He's informed of it, knows of it, but turns his head. This is new information I acquired today.

a man with an extensive criminal record was serving a 30 year sentence for 3 Class X drug charges, one of which was manufacturing and delivering near a school, has been released to work release after only 10. his elected rep helped get him out

another: armed robberty x8 work release AND his state rep got him work release!

yet another: burglary x7 work release

the final: armed robbery x1 his state rep helped get him out

These are ALL Chicago politicians, Blago's turf.

This is JUST the tip of the iceburg! The Deputy Director of District 2 ok'd work release for a MURDERER this time last year.

Yes, I sound, and AM bitter. Blago has been informed of these practices NUMEROUS times by NUMEROUS people.

I want someone in there that will not allow these A$$HOLES to play politics with these people's lives, that will keep his/her finger on the pulse, that will appoint an overseer to this department. They are beyond corrupt. Blago knows, Blago doesn't care!:mad:

Jenn

[seventythree]

45. I don't wish to be harsh

but did you say you had recently moved back here. There was a time when the gangs ran the prisons, under Edgar. His opponent, Dawn Netsch, brought it out -- she lost big time. The weekend AFTER the election, after Edgar won, the Tribune did a huge expose, confirming everything Netsch had alleged. Only when that murderer on work release kills someone or that robber robs again, will anyone care. Representatives getting people out early? -- has been going on for eons. Do you know who John Gianulis is? He's Rod's patronage chief -- he lives in Moline -- he finagled the downstate county chairs endorsement for Rod -- getting the idea? Lisa? The reps getting these early releases are her daddy's men. You have two hopes -- Chicago or Springfield media (try Bernie Shoenberg with the Springfield paper)or maybe St. Louis which has done an investigation on far more minuscule matters than reps pulling strings for cons. But, if the motive is an early work release for your loved one --

[laylah]

46. Thank you for your kind response.

No, early work release is not my motive as he will be home in May. My motive is to expose these people for what they are...lying, cheating, dishonorable, reprehensible human beings. Springfield paper won't touch this, John Kass was insulting and demeaning, and I hadn't thought of St. Louis. Thanks for the idea.

I live 5 minutes from Moline and will be contacting Mr. Gianulis. I look forward to the smoke he'll blow up my nose :evilgrin:

I have heard the story of how the gangs ran the prisons here in Illinois, under Edgar's watch. That has been pretty well stopped, as I understand it; as well it should have been. My beef is with the unethical, sleazy, and insidious nature of these people (Blago's office and the IDOC). Here at East Moline Corrections, snitches get the favors while those that mind their own business, get the shaft. Furthermore, there are men walking around out there with life threatening hernias that aren't treated. For every dollar spent on medical care, it diminishes profit, you know.

Then there was the inmate, who was released in October or November, who was an "administrative pet". He was given access to the media room where the television controls were. He pirated numerous cable channels, to the tune of thousands of dollars, this with the knowledge of the administration. When the cable company found out, they cut them off, and rightfully so. My point is, this behavior is not only ignored but supported! And Blago doesn't give a damn!

I know Illinois politics has always been "suspect", to put it mildly. I remember as a child, listening to my parents talk about the "Daley machine". It is just very hard for me to wrap my brain around what I have encountered from MY elected officials in the last two plus years. So, I will see what I can do to change it.

I still think Lane Evans would be a terrific gov and I will be calling his office and inquiring about his stand on the idea.

Jenn

[seventythree]

47. He is very, very ill

and would not be able to make a state run, assuming he would be interested. I think his heart has always been in the Congress. Just sort of curious as to why you think the Governor knows this -- I mean, Tammie Raynor gave a letter to Mrs Ryan about the corruption and we have never known positively that it didn't just go in the wastebasket without his seeing it. From what I hear, it is hard to get past the palace guard, so maybe they are the only ones who know. I think the angle of elected representatives getting folks out early is the key to a great expose, but then I don't know the rules -- you mentioned work release, so is it possible that one becomes eligible but must wait for a spot and the representative just boosts someone on the list? That would be very different from getting someone on work release who doesn't qualify. It would be hard for a journalist to investigate this, independently, because s/he couldn't get access to prisoner records -- I believe they are not accessible by FOIA. I am also curious about the Inspector General blow off since I believed the legislative mandate only excluded constitutional officers, but applied to every agency.

[Tweed]

49. That's a shame about Lane

I wonder if he will have to retire soon. I'd certain like him to live longer rather than him serving in congress.

On a sidenote, I just like to say that your posts on the Illinois Forum are fantastic and you are a huge addition to the 'team'. Please continue to drop by.

[seventythree]

50. thank you

[laylah]

52. The Administrative Guidelines

specifically state that NO-ONE with a violent X-conviction may be eligible for work release. That would, in a "real world" disqualify someone with EIGHT armed robbery convictions and certainly, a murderer! However, the powers that be circumvent those rules on a regular basis.

As for the blow off by the Inspector General's office, the IDOC does whatever, whenever, to whomever they so choose. As I said, the IDOC Deputy Director of Region 2 helped the IDOC Internal Investigations Director's assistant to respond to my claims. I got that from the horse's mouth! It was apparent nothing had been read beyond what I had found to be fact, regarding people,places, and dates. I even provided documents and hard evidence of my allegations!

My loved one signed an information release form, giving me and the aide in Julie Curry's office, access to his records. It wasn't long after that, Otis (the aide) was ordered to have no further contact with me. Once Deputy Director of Region 2 found out about Otis, I was completely shut out and all support that had formerly been given me, was ended.

I have no doubt in my mind that Blago is quite aware of the corruption in the IDOC. He may not know specifics but he knows overall that it is one of the most corrupt departments in his administration...as it was under Ryan and previous governors.

I will find a link for the Administrative Rules and provide you with it to give you an idea of the farce that is called the IDOC.

As for Lane, I agree his health would be the defeating factor. Sad, though. He is such a decent human being.

Thanks for your thoughtful responses.

Jenn

edited to add link http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/020/020004550000300r.html

[seventythree]

53. community correctional center

means work release, I take it. Ok, where, what town, has the murderer been placed in, on work release? What about that town's paper? Same with the robber. Who would care more than those who might be in danger because of the release? Geesh, it is hard to believe that the major papers wouldn't be interested in this information. I don't know what to tell you about getting this information out -- if the papers, major and minor, can't be interested in the information, then what about the analysts, like Rich Miller? Rich and his Capitol Fax (find it on line) have often printed "rumor" -- don't get upset, I am not saying this is necessarily rumor but until an independent verifies it, it will be seen as such. What about political editors at the news stations in the major markets -- ones who do commentary -- like Walter Jacobson and Dick Kay, Pam Zeckman in Chicago(actually I don't even know if these guys are still doing that but you get my drift). I am assuming you have not had a positive response from the Quad cities papers. In the past something as innocuous as the former head of DOC, forgotten his name, having a prisoner transport some personal plants has made the papers, so I am nonplussed at your inability to get anyone interested in this story. All I can say is you just have to keep trying to peddle the story, and keep building your documentation.
What was IDOC's response to your allegations? I'm interested. BTW, Otis works for Julie -- he might have pulled back because he was looking for further or future employment in the state, but for the moment, only Julie controls his job.