Indictment Looms But Blago In Disney World
Under a looming deadline, U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald's is expected to announce an indictment
against former-Gov. Rod Blagojevich for a host of alleged crimes as soon as today. Instead of facing the media spotlight, however, the
former governor has packed up for a Disney World vacation.
IL Stretching Transit Stimulus
After a meeting with the Prairie State's congressional delegation
yesterday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood confirmed that
Illinois is in line to net $935 million worth of federal
stimulus money, and the money is likely to go farther than intially
projected because bids for public works projects have been lower
than expected. "[T]hat will enable us, I think, to have money to
spend that maybe we didn't really realize," the former Republican
Illinois congressman said. Meanwhile, Rep. Bill Foster (D) announced that he will not move forward with the Prairie State Parkway project earmarked by his predecessor, former House Speaker Denny Hastert (R).
Duckworth Breezes Through Senate Hearing
Former Illinois' Department of Veterans Affairs director Tammy
Duckworth breezed through a Senate committee confirmation hearing yesterday, all
but sealing up her nomination to serve as an assistant secretary for
the federal V.A.
Eugene Moore's Patronage Costs Taxpayers
Cook County Recorder of Deeds Eugene Moore's decision to lay off three
experienced employees to save jobs for the politically connected will
cost taxpayers $280,000 in legal settlements -- and that's just the
beginning. The county board approved the first wave of settlements yesterday,
but Assistant State's Atty. Patrick Driscoll says two more tentative
settlements, involving similar allegations against Moore, have also
been reached.
General Assembly Could Rein In Stroger
A measure handily approved by the Illinois Senate yesterday could
deal a significant blow to the power held by Cook County Board
President Todd Stroger by reducing the number of commissioners
needed to override a veto to three-fifths from four-fifths. Cook County
Commissioner Mike Quigley has been pushing for the change
since 2003. Meanwhile, a mini-revolt
over Stroger's borrowing plan ensued at the board meeting yesterday
prompting Stroger to concede that $20 million worth of
additional projects could be put on hold.
Image used under a Creative Commons license by Flick user Astrotech5000.
