The Sharks are Circling, and They Smell Blood in Springfield

The Feds are investigating some of Patti Blagojevich's real estate deals in a three-year probe of Blago's corruption.

Patricia Blagojevich's real estate deals with power brokers close to her husband first came under scrutiny in 2005 when the Tribune disclosed her eight-year business relationship with Antoin "Tony" Rezko, a Chicago developer who became one of the governor's top fundraisers and a member of his kitchen cabinet.

Tony Rezko was indicted last year on federal charges of soliciting kickbacks from firms involved in state contracts. He is involved in a shady real estate deal with presidential candidate Barak Obama.

Blago Gets Sued

Rod Blagojevich is at it again, trying to appropriate money for his own pet projects without the approval of the General Assembly. However, Ron Gidwitz of the Illinois Job Coalition is taking him to task for it. According to Andy Shaw of ABC7, Gidwitz is suing Blago to stop him from moving money appropriated for other projects to health care.

The governor is expanding access to free breast and cervical cancer screenings for women to three additional health clinics, including one in Oak Park, even though a lawsuit supported by a lot of Illinois lawmakers is challenging Blagojevich's decision to spend money on new health programs without the approval of the state legislature.

Oak Park!?! Posh Oak Park needs a free clinic!?!

What's Blago thinking!?

"It's mind boggling that the heir of a shampoo fortune would go out of his way to take health care away through the courts. And, yeah, it is Scrooge-like in many ways," said Blagojevich.

No, Governor Nero, it is not "Scrooge-like" of Mr. Gidwitz. It is more "Hugo-like" or "Fidel-like" or, dare I say "Mugabe-like" of you to move money without the permission of the General Assembly to your own pet projects.

Where's Roddo?

Someone should make a children's book when all is said and done. You know, the point being to find the guy in the striped shirt or something like that. At least I have a name for it: "Where's Roddo?". I'm willing to bet it could become a best seller, maybe even a cult following.

Here's Tom Cross's staff (R-Oswego) on the debacle with Blago at the Hawks game:

"What we really need is a political Zamboni," said David Dring, spokesman for House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego, "to clean up this mess that's been the 2007 legislative session."

How apt an image.

Do You Want To Be Governor For A Day?

Well, the Illinois Republican Party passed out raffle tickets in front of the Thompson Center today, according to CBS2's Mike Flannery. The winner will dine at a fine restaurant and attend a Chicago Blackhawks hockey game, as Blago did while the Illinois House was discussing the RTA bailout.

It must be easy to be governor. Attend hockey games, eat fine food. Sounds more like Nero than a governor.
Governor Nero.

RIP Henry Hyde

Long time Illinois Representative Henry Hyde passed away early Thursday. He served 32 years in the House of Representatives, succeeded by Peter Roskum. He spearheaed the impeachment of then-President Bill Clinton and cut off federal funds of abortions.

"He was as much a libertarian as he was a conservative," liberal former Rep. Abner Mikva said of Mr. Hyde. "I always thought he was typecast on the abortion issue. He cared about civil rights and values that went beyond the 'Right to Life,' like extending the Voting Rights Act. We lost a good man."

Blago's Budget Busting

Blago is running into trouble with his attempts to get a bailout budget together for the RTA (CTA, Pace, and Metra). He called the General Assembly into session earlier in the week, and decided that instead of staying in Springfield to help with the effort, he'd treat himself to a Blackhawks game.

He was ridiculed in the House, where Rep. Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein) brought a hockey stick to the House floor to make a point.

"If he's truly up there working on commerce, that's one thing. But this is him going to a hockey game to enjoy himself at the expense of the people of the state of Illinois. You can't get any more plain than that," said Sullivan, who called on the governor to cut a check to the taxpayers for his airfare.

Shame on you, Mr. Governor. It's your budget you want pushed through, and you feel as though you don't even need to attend the budget battle? Shame, shame, shame.

Now, there's no resolution in sight, at least not til after the first of the year.

Big Nut Hog Plays Race Card

William Beavers is watching his attempts to grab $880 million from Cook County taxpayers' pockets is taking a turn for the worse, and as a result, the self-titled "Big Nut Hog" claims that anyone who votes against the Toddler's proposed "Robin Hood" plan (as in robbin' from all and giving to the crooks) must therefore be a racist.

Well, Mr. Beavers, I say YOU are the racist here, Mr. Big Nut Hog. The "Hog" part aptly describes you. Knock it off with the race card as there are both Blacks and White, as well as Latinos and others who don;t want to pay for your "Family and Friends" program.

Sorry for the lack of posting. It was quiet over the Thanksgiving holiday, and then I got busy.