Illinois

Syndicate content Get this feed!

How Blago hurt Illinois

July 8, 2011
St. Louis Beacon

 By R.W. Hafer

The recent conviction of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is just another entry in the sad parade of corrupt Illinois public officials. Blagojevich was convicted of trying to peddle the appointment to President Barack Obama's former Senate seat. While his trial (first and second) was muddling along, former Gov. George Ryan was sitting in a cell, serving time for inappropriately using campaign money and for exchanging contracts for gifts. Perhaps they can share a cell? Or start sort of a fraternity of convicted governors?

Read More...



Related Links:

Our View: Attorney General right to pursue FIOA denial (Editorial)

June 25, 2011
Freeport Journal Standard

We’re pleased to see the Illinois Attorney General’s office asking questions about Freeport Township’s response to a request for financial records through the Freedom of Information Act.

Read More...



Related Links:

Is county’s locked door a deterrent?

July 7, 2011
Sauk Valley Times

 By David Giuliani

It’s relatively easy to walk into open meetings of public bodies around the area.

It takes some work to get into the evening meetings of Whiteside County’s committees, though.

None of the doors are open in the courthouse part of the building, where the meetings are held, so people must enter through the Sheriff’s Department side. There the door is locked and those wanting access must ask sheriff’s personnel behind a glass enclosure to unlock it, which the employees do remotely.

Read More...



Related Links:

Kane ethics law review: Key portions invalid

July 7, 2011
Daily Herald

By James Fuller

A Kane County assistant state’s attorney delivering a fresh review of the county’s ethics law Wednesday said several areas of the law that try to address conflicts of interest can’t be enforced.

And a couple of board members said the remaining parts of the law haven’t been implemented anyway.

Read More...



Related Links:

Kane ethics law review: Key portions invalid

July 7, 2011
Daily Herald

By James Fuller

A Kane County assistant state’s attorney delivering a fresh review of the county’s ethics law Wednesday said several areas of the law that try to address conflicts of interest can’t be enforced.

And a couple of board members said the remaining parts of the law haven’t been implemented anyway.

Read More...



Related Links:

Actions needed, not just words (Editorial)

July 6, 2011
Northwest Herald

 After a federal jury convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich of 17 felony counts of corruption, Blago’s former No. 2 stepped up to the microphones last week.

“This is a serious day for our state,” Gov. Pat Quinn said.

The convictions, Quinn continued, are a call for reformers to continue their efforts to root out government corruption.

Read More...



Related Links:

DuPage sheriff's campaign relies heavily on deputy support

July 7, 2011
Chicago Tribune

By Joe Mahr and Christy Gutowski

DuPage County Sheriff John Zaruba has amassed the biggest campaign war chest of any sheriff in Illinois — thanks in part to cash given by deputies he oversees.

His deputies also have gathered petitions for his campaign, kept vandals away from pro-Zaruba signs and even solicited nonemployees to contribute cash to his re-election coffers.

Read More...



Related Links:

Elmwood Park trustee is school district's go-to plumber

July 11, 2011
Chicago Tribune

 By Matthew Walberg

Whenever a pipe bursts or a toilet starts backing up at an Elmwood Park public school, the phone rings at Carmen Forte's plumbing company.

School district officials admit they have repeatedly used Forte's company over the years, saying he is quick to respond and does good work.

Read More...



Related Links:

Prepaid tuition program cutting loose its chief

July 9, 2011
Chicago Tribune

 By Ray Long and Jodi S. Cohen

The executive director of the agency that oversees the state's troubled prepaid college tuition program called himself a "political victim" after a newly overhauled board moved to dump him Friday.

Read More...



Related Links: