Friends of Public Official A

The Illinois primary election takes place February 2, 2010, and early voting is available now in many precincts. Let’s not miss this chance to cast an intelligent vote this time around. Don’t forget that Blago was lawfully elected to office - twice.

Here’s a rundown on the major candidates for governor.

Republicans

Kirk Dillard: Is this the same Kirk Dillard who taped an ad for Barack Obama? Yes, it is. Perhaps his name is on the wrong ballot.

Andy McKenna: He’s the former party chairman who started his campaign by proclaiming his outsider status. Let’s make that true by keeping him out of office (again).

Jim Ryan: The former Illinois Attorney General who actually has experience in balancing a government agency budget, and may be the only candidate who has a chance of cleaning up the mess in Springfield. We endorse Jim Ryan.

Democrats

Pat Quinn: Harold Washington might have been correct; Pat Quinn should not be running an office. He is far more effective as the loyal opposition.

Dan Hynes: Is he serious?

Write-in: We endorse your write-in selection, as long as it isn’t Blago or Burris. It can’t be worse than the two official candidates.

Green

Rich Whitney: We don’t know a thing about him.

While we’re waiting for the grandstander to stand trial, the new election season is kicking off. Let’s try not to screw it up this time. Haven’t we had enough of the likes of Blago, Toddler, and Senators Junior and Milquetoast?

Until then, don’t forget to download the list of Blago’s loyal enablers [sortable Excel format].

Governor Blagojevich.

As late as December of last year, the dollars were still rolling in to Blago’s coffers.

Fortunately, the contributor list is public record. His top donors this time around were the following, according to Illinois State Board of Elections data:

• Dream World, Inc. - Niles, IL
• Southern Central Illinois Laborers’ Political League - Marion, IL  (transfer in)
• Market Street Bancshares Inc. - Mount Vernon, IL
• Cable Television & Communications Assoc. of IL - Springfield, IL (transfer in)
• Omega and Associates Inc. - Lisle, IL
• Ulrich Meyer - Chicago, IL
• Ronald Scarlato - Oak Brook, IL
• Power Rogers & Smith P.C. - Chicago, IL
• Accurate Group, Inc. - Lincolnshire, IL
• Clifford Law Offices P.C. - Chicago, IL
• Dorris Law Firm P.C. - Bloomington, IL
• Geo Services Inc. - Naperville, IL

Download the entire list in Excel format

The Senate has been in session for less than a month, and already it has fouled itself by seating Gov. Blagojevich’s choice for Obama’s former seat. The stench of Illinois politics now fills two Senate offices, and the voters are left with a continuing lack of leadership in the upper house.

Related: Chicago City Council declares Senator Lite, like, the bestest, like, Senator ever; also, like, needs a ride to the mall later.

Blago will finally be impeached, maybe as early as tomorrow.  Unfortunately, it looks like Roland “Taking a huge pay cut to earn more than $150,000 as a U.S. Senator” Burris will likely join Dick “Milquetoast” Durbin in failing to represent Illinois adequately in the Senate.

Burris was hardly an outstanding comptroller or attorney general, but he has now ensured that he will be remembered not for whatever he may have accomplished in office, but instead as the man who accepted a tainted appointment from a disgraced governor. No matter what he may achieve as a Senator, the sad way he came into office ensures that he will be little more than a footnote in Blago’s story. Anyone fit for the office should have known better.

Blago is reported to be in the process of naming Roland Burris to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Barack Obama. You may not remember Roland Burris, but for a time, his name on a Democratic ballot was the equivalent of “other.” After holding statewide office, he lost a succession of races and disappeared from the political scene for several years.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has said he will not seat anyone Blago names. Email Sen. Reid to remind him of his pledge.

Christmas came early for Illinois today. It arrived around 6 AM, as Rod Blagojevich was led out of his house in an ill-fitting sweatsuit and handcuffs. Thanks to Pat Fitzgerald, this may be the beginning of the end of the Blago era, at long last.

• Blagojevich arrested (Tribune)
• Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich taken into federal custody (Sun-Times)
• Illinois’ top lawmakers to strip Blago of senate pick power (Crain’s)
• Blagojevich free on $4,500 bail after arrest (CNN)
• Illinois First Lady Prominent in FBI Affidavit Charging Governor (Fox)

Related Information

Curious about who has contributed to Blago’s campaign/legal fund lately? Download the Excel file and find out.