Government: October 2008 Archives

The power brokers are pulling out all the stops to make sure Illinois voters don't call for a constitutional convention on Nov. 4. We've already been warned lobbyists would be a major force in any con-con (like they don't currently have influence among lawmakers?). Now, the opponents are aiming for our pocketbooks.

Like Chicken Little, these special interest folks are saying a constitutional convention would cost more than $100 million at a time when the state is lucky it can afford blacktop to patch potholes. Except, the non-partisan Legislative Research Unit figures the cost to be between $14 million to $23 million. That's less than $2 for every Illinoisan. It costs that much for a good latte these days. It doesn't even buy a good-sized bag of chewy bones for The Hound.

Regardless of the cost, it would be worth it to get rid of "pay to play" politics in the state and have recall provisions for public officials. Actually, The Hound has a whole plethora of causes a con-con can address --- including life sentences for those who practice dog fighting --- but the wish list can wait until after voters make the right move to improve this state and make the con-con call.

It's either that or keep letting them pass out political bon bons --- let alone plums --- to friends, contributors and fellow players. You make the call.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich discounts a recent poll that showed his popularity ratings were lower than journalists. Lower than used car salesmen. Lower than Wall Street bankers. Lower than President Bush. He's kidding, right?

Blago's approval rating, according to the poll, hovered around 13 percent. His rating could be lower, could be higher depending on the margin of error. The Hound, being a pessimist, figures they're lower. Blago's ratings are lower than governors who have done time ---Otto Kerner and Dan Walker, both Democrats, and George Ryan, currently a guest of a federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind.

But Blago said Friday it's not the reported federal investigation looking at everything Blagojevich, including his wife's real estate dealings, or his job as governor. People don't
like him because of the current state of the economy.

He may have something there. Under his watch, we've lost lots of businesses to Wisconsin because the governor of the Badger State returns phone calls from company owners. The state's jobless rate increased across Illinois in September. Lake County's rate skipped from 4.7 percent in September 2007, to 6.3 percent last month. That's not good, Governor Rod. Did The Hound mention the state has lost 14,000 jobs since January?

Meanwhile, Illinois home sales were down 8.7 percent in September and the median housing price dove 9.7 percent to $179,650. A year ago, housing prices were $199,000. Still not good.

So, the governor thinks people don't like him because of the economy. People don't like George Bush because of the economy. Illinoisans don't like Blago, because, well, he's just Blago.

Except for seniors. He gave them free mass transit rides. But those seniors will turn on you faster than a rattlesnake. Things aren't looking good for a third term in 2010.

Waukegan once again is setting itself up for disappointment, The Hound predicts. After entering a cheapskate bid of $225 million for a gaming palace and hotel at an easily accessible 31-acre site at Fountain Square, the city and its casino partners got trumped by a $435 million bid from the village of Rosemont, which really, really wants that 10th and last Illinois gaming license.

Don't get The Hound wrong. By all rights, Waukegan should have the casino. The state's original gaming law envisioned helping communities like Waukegan. The then-riverboat law certainly helped Aurora, Elgin and Joliet. A Waukegan casino would help the city and neighboring communities, too.

The Waukegan site is the best site because it will bring new money to the table and not take away from the existing casinos. The other sites, including Rosemont, are too close to the venues in Aurora, Elgin and Joliet. Gamblers would just switch sites. Waukegan can draw new players from southeast Wisconsin. And, it could be up and running sooner than the other bids.

Logically, the Waukegan site is perfect. But logic doesn't dictate the way things operate in Illinois, as we've seen the past few years.

The Hound is barking for the Waukegan site, but there's bad juju surrounding this remaining license. The Hound hopes the hex isn't on, but don't say you weren't warned.

At least the city rolled the bones and took the gamble. As the lottery folks remind us: If you don't play, you can't win.

The Hound is so glad the dog house is not in Chicago these days, especially after learning city garbage crews are actually paid to do nothing during most of their shifts. Yes, let's just keep pouring more Illinois money into that hole they call the Second City.

Of course, the union representing the workers who were caught working only a part of the time, blamed management for not supervising employees of "Streets and San" as they say in the old neighborhood. Apparently, these folks have low self-esteem and haven't figured out they're adults who have certain responsibilities. One of them is showing up for work and doing a job.

Unless you live in the Windy City. A 10-week surveillance of workers showed deez guys wasted at least $14.3 million a year in taxpayer dollars. This in a city which has the highest sales tax in the nation. Oh, it get's better.

Despite funneling in massive amounts of Illinois money into the CTA, the agency is still proposing to boost fares to $2.25 for bus and El rides. Seems one of the reason the fare increases are needed is because Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Chicagoan, decided to give senior citizens free mass transit rides.

So, not only do we have a state that is in the toilet, but the biggest city in the state, normally known as the "city that works" is heading that way, too. Where's Honest Abe when you really need him?