19 Aug 2003

Intrigue and Scandal at the Illinois State Fair

By Rich Miller
A costly mistake by the parents of a 4-H club member has turned into some bad publicity for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Representative Shane Cultra (an Onarga Republican) wants an apology from the governor over his remarks last week about the State Fair animal-doping controversy.
12 Aug 2003

Pork Money Flows While Illinois Contractors Wait

By Rich Miller
Pharmacists and road-builders have to wait months for their state-government reimbursements, but Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has managed to find the cash to green-light $200 million worth of pork-barrel projects.
29 Jul 2003

Prison Employees Help Illinois Governor Monitor His Image

By Rich Miller
In yet another example of how obsessed Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is about his public image, even during "the worst fiscal crisis in the state's history," the governor is requiring state employees to videotape and review local TV-news broadcasts about him seven days a week on state time.
15 Jul 2003

Jobs Program with Interesting History Gets the Ax

By Rich Miller
A $6-million annual state program to help at-risk high-school students graduate and find jobs has been vetoed out of existence by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. The program appears to be worthwhile, and the governor has never really explained why he wanted to kill it, other than he wants to "streamline" and "consolidate" the state's job-training efforts.
01 Jul 2003

Irony Abounds in Illinois Politics

By Rich Miller
Talk about a week filled with heavy-duty irony. Christian conservatives rallying for lower casino taxes and Governor Rod Blagojevich doling out George Ryan's pork money. Early last week, a coalition of conservative groups held a press conference.
24 Jun 2003

Conservative Leader Has Eye on Illinois

By Rich Miller
"We are trying to change the tones in the state capitals - and turn them toward bitter nastiness and partisanship," Grover Norquist recently told the Denver Post. Norquist runs a group called Americans for Tax Reform, and his organization was scheduled to participate in a Chicago press conference last week that was called to attack Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich for his anti-business proposals.
17 Jun 2003

Illinois GOP Infighting Only Helps the Democrats

By Rich Miller
House Republican leader Tom Cross and Senate Republican leader Frank Watson weren't exactly on the same page during the spring legislative session. As a result, there is serious tension between the two Republican caucuses.
10 Jun 2003

Illinois Governor Leads a Charmed Life

By Rich Miller
I'm not a superstitious person, but I'm starting to believe that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's life has been blessed by a kindly leprechaun, a lucky star, or an influential guardian angel. Take your pick. He was elected to the Illinois House after a new legislative map gave state Representative Bruce Farley (D-Chicago) the opportunity to be kicked upstairs to the Senate by Blago's politically powerful father-in-law.
03 Jun 2003

Illinois Governor Tries to Seize Control

By Rich Miller
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has racked up some impressive poll numbers partly because the voters have so far bought into his constant refrain that he is "changing Springfield's culture." There is no doubt that he has reformed some things.
13 May 2003

Chicago and Daley Win, Consumers Lose in Illinois Legislature

By Rich Miller
Jim Ryan might have been right. Remember last year when the Republican gubernatorial candidate warned that Chicago Mayor Richard Daley would control the state's agenda if Chicagoan Rod Blagojevich was elected? Well, current evidence is leaning in Jim Ryan's favor.

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