What is it about Illinois and political corruption?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin, the Democrat from Illinois, called yesterday "a sad day for my state."
A sad day, sure, his state's governor was handcuffed and hauled off to appear before a federal judge. But in Illinois it's not like this has never happened before.
There's a pattern of corruption among governors in the "Prairie State." Counting Governor Blagojevich, four of the last seven governors elected in the state of Illinois have been arrested. Democrat Otto Kerner, who was Illinois's governor from 1961 to 1968, was convicted of taking bribes from the manager of two horse-racing tracks and spent some time in prison. Dan Walker, also a Democrat, who held the job from 1973 to 1977, served time after he left office for receiving improper loans. And Republican George Ryan, who served as governor from 1999 to 2003, was charged with accepting gifts in return for political favors and was sentenced to six years in prison in 2006.
Blagojevich, of course, was charged yesterday with among other things trying to sell President-elect Obama's senate seat.
A proud tradition, isn't it? And don't even start on the history of corruption in the city of Chicago. This is only a three-hour program.
Here's my question to you: When it comes to political corruption, what is it about Illinois?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
W from Chicago, Illinois writes:
Chillax Jack, This is how Chicago and Illinois politics works. It's been this way for my entire lifetime. That doesn't mean we as Chicagoans condone it... but you would be hard pressed to find a Chicagoan who would exchange our city and lifestyle for another. Mayor Daley Rocks!
Bob in Morristown, New Jersey writes:
Wasn't Chicago, home of Al Capone, the center of organized crime, and its associated political corruption of our nation when we first experimented with legislating morality? It's a not only a place where corruption has a long, colorful history, but also a place where those seeking to expose corruption are likely to look for and find it.
Terry writes:
Illinois isn't different from many states and its politicians are not uniquely corrupt. Hold any jurisdiction, any state under the glare of the public spotlight and watch the rats scurry to hide. The problem with Illinois is its well-reported history, both real and fictionalized in books and movies. Great expectations of President-elect Obama with comparisons to Abraham Lincoln have turned up the wattage for the glare of scrutiny on this state.
LM from Fayetteville, North Carolina writes:
It goes way back. I think it happened after Lincoln died. Somehow prohibition or the '30s or the great depression or the cold weather and stiff wind caused it. Everyone seems to know it and tolerate it and vote for it and be happy with it. Just keep it in Illinois.
Katherine from Oklahoma writes:
Because we don't hear about the other states. I think this is a matter of what we hear being reported. Go to any other state and you will hear the same thing, it just ain't making national news. That and long history of the mob there.
Mitchell writes:
The only difference is, in Illinois, they get caught.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Very smart people do not act impulsively. They take in all of the facts and then thoughtfully make a decision on something.
Because he's busy trying to figure out how to fix this country since the Republicans completely destroyed it!!!
Is it obvious? He wanted to make sure that his name isn't tied to anything to do with that idiot governor before he effectively shut him down. He's already reversed himself on taxes and the war in Iraq since winning the election; he can't afford another stumbling block before he's even sworn in.
Let's see . . . Obama's working on an economic plan for the worst crisis since the Great Depression, plans for ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a solution to keep peace between the nuclear powers India and Pakistan, investigating ways to save the planet from global warming and in his free time appointing cabinet members and hiring thousands of staffers. I think he can be forgiven if the corrupt governor isn't at the top of the "to do" list.
Gosh.......let's see......maybe his mind and attention are focused on the economic meltdown our country is going through?
People are always trying to make something out of nothing. Illinois has been corrupt and it is not right to all of a sudden bring the President-Elect into this garbage. What needs to happen is a full investigation on the whole Illinois government. It isn't just Chicago it's all over the small towns in Illinois. So the FEDS should start from the ground up picking off corruption in Illinois. ( Decatur and more)
Obama perhaps was making sure that none of his campaign workers and or staff would not have any involvement with Blagojevich.
I'm guessing it took this long because the President-Elect was laughing so hard at the sheer stupidity of Gov. Blagojevich that he couldn't get off the floor.
I think Obama thought he'd step down on his own, and gave him a chance to do so on his own. However, when the gov. went back to work today instead of resigning, something had to said.
Hes a busy guy Jack, and details have been coming out all day yesterday and today. I'm sure he wanted to get all the information before making a judgement on the issue. He'd do well to not rush into anything without much forethought or information like Bush does on a daily basis.
Jack – it's simple. If Obama didn't know anything about his own pastor's hatred comments towards America, do you really expect him to anything about another politician's crime spree?
Obama is not president yet and has no power to demand anything. Besides that he has its hands full with the bad economy.
All things with deliberate speed, Jack. Unlike Bush, Obama prefers to consider the things he does before he does them.
Ray Kinserlow
Lubbock, Texas
Jack, haven't we had enough shoot from the hip deciding. Now we have a leader who gets the facts and thinks first. Isn't it refreshing?
Let's not fault him for it. It's only been one day.
Jack, I think he more than likely got as much information on the subject (and probably actually did reading too) before he reached his ipinion. I don't have any problem with the length of time. Isn't that how it should be done and not jump to hasty conclusions?
Likely Obama needed to get the facts on what has transpired before calling for the Governor's resignation. Up until either late yesterday or today Obama probably wanted to make sure Blagojevich was in fact as guilty as it was being portrayed.
Obama has always carefully weighed everything before making any rash decisions based on first appearances which I would take to be an excellent trait. You've had 8 years of an irrationation reactionary for President so you would think this would be a welcome change.
Obama has more important subjects on his plate. A corrupt elected official is not new or the most important news in the past week for the incoming president and the people of that state should deal with that person. Obama has to worry about a nation in failure, two wars and a world economy in failure. I have to ask which is more important and why the present president has not been asked or made a comment seeing that it is on his watch and his justice departments watch?
Maybe he thought this guy would do the right thing and go away, into the sunset,quietly..
Jack,
Maybe he wanted to get all the facts from the people directly involved on both sides before he reacted like the rest of the politicians who seem to want air time did. Is it possible that we finally have a President in waiting who thinks things through before he acts or speaks? Isn't that amazing someone who actually has the ability to think.
Judie
St. Augustine, Fl
have no idea...though Louisiana seems to be pretty corrupt also..seems like political corruption is ripe because there are no term limits, no decent hardworking middle class americans in politics, no intelligent young people wanting or getting key political posts...sad
Perhaps Blagojevich will allege some curse on the Illinois Governor's office similar to the "Twinkie Defense" which I believe was used with some success.
I would want to know all the facts before I made a rush decision. Just because the media has him being evil doesn't always hold truth but in this case this gangster has to go. He would make Al Capone proud.
Calling for any resignation just a few hours after the news breaks is more reactionary than intelligent. Even by today's standards it's better to have facts. I'd guess Obama received more details than what was released in general.
I don't know how those folks see themselves, but for this news cycle the rest of the nation sees them as money-grubbing self-centered gangster wannabes. But then, not sure Illinois particularly has a corner on that market.
The P word, Jack. Politics, politics, politics and to make sure that they all have their stories correct in the Obama camp.
Political corruption iss a way of life in Illinois, especially Chicago. My guess is that the governor did not know he was doing anything unlawful. Business as usuall.
What difference does it make? What was the rush? Barack Obama is the US President-elect, trying to unravel the disaster of the current administration so he can try to fix it next month. He is not a representative of Illinois government anymore, just another Chicago citizen for now, and it isn't really his place any more than anyone else in the state to call for the Governor's resignation. That is up to all the people of Illinois. Hopefully he is looking into the far more scandal ridden Bush administration.
I don't think its anything to do with Illinois, just politicians in general. I'd guestimate that 80% of high ranking politicians are corrupt in one way or another. Power gets to peoples heads, and corruption knows no political party. Lets hope that Obama follows through on his promises to clean up Washington. Hes gonna need a big mop.
Jack,
I can't speak for Illinois because I dont live there ,but I can speak for Maryland which is just as corrupt as Illinois. Corruption is attributable to the combination of greed and power and the naive assumption that you're not going to get caught. Whether its bribes, prostitution or some othe repugnant behavior it dosent seem that either party, Democrat or Republican, or any State, Illinois or Maryland, goes unscathed.
Hi Jack:
The governor was arrested yesterday. Maybe he wanted to see/hear what the governor was charged with before letting his opinion known. I would rather he wait to hear all of the facts before holding someone feet to the fire.
Because he's smart! We've learned from his campaign that he likes to think things through thoroughly before acting or speaking, so why should this case be any different?
Word has it that many were aware of the Illinois governor's unstable psychology and this may have been the means to unmask that instability. Something has got to give now!
The name Chicago hunts Illinois politicians, have you forgotten the "Chicago Mob"?This time, we elect them!!!!!!
The corruption in ILLinois is a cultural thing. Its in grained into the sycophants that get elected there. Where's Eliot Ness when you need him?
All that corn, Jack.
I suppose once the way "bidness" is done that way for so long, either you play the game, or can't get anywhere with your agenda. They have probably opened up a can of worms again and the rats will be running for cover !
It seems corruption is rampant, not just in IL, and that many in the US have lost their moral compass.
In my opinion the fact that bush/cheney waged a preemptive war for oil and contracts based on a lie , have committed war crimes, and have faced no consequences for their crimes has set a precedent. for corruption not seen since Nixon.
Jack: Corruption in Illinois is like mom and apple pie......they go hand in hand together. If Illinois were suddenly to practice honesty, many thousands of people would be sure to starve.
First of all Illinois is not unique in its corruption. It's unique in the numbers of officials who get caught. Anybody on this forum who thinks what Blogo was doing with the Senate seat would go down any differently in other states is in la la land. He was being recorded by the FBI which is the only reason we are aware of any of this. His stupidity is what's remarkable-not his corruption.
Seccondly Illinois is essentially two places: Chicago and then the rest of Illinois. The amount of competeing interests in this state is staggering and there is no way to satisfy all. When the dissatisfied get sick of it they do what they can to get others in trouble. I'd imagine this is the same for other states that exerience a substantial urban/rural divide but again, our politicians are way dumber so they get caught more often.
I think only the people of Illinois can answer this question. They keep electing these crooks. Every state has it’s corruption here and here, but Illinois seems to require it to even run for office.
It's like any political corruption anrywhere. Men and women seek office to put themselves in the position to take advantage of citizens and the political system. And the voters don't take responsibility for getting these criminals out of office. Chicago has had such a long history of corruption that it reflects the apathy of many generations of voters. It's not difficult to see how we get to the amazing charges against Blagojevich and his insolent response.
It isn't about Illinois. It is about a system that rewards politicians with pork for their constituents, and extra paying committee jobs for selling out their constituents, by playing ball with the people who can give them these rewards. Its still all about money and patronage and not about passing good laws.
The problem in Chicago is that the good ole boy network is still as entrenched as when old lady Leary's cow kicked up a fire storm. It's hard for the younger generation to work with integrity when daddy can still buy clout effortlessly. And conversely there are threats to those who don't play along. Gangs aren't a new problem in this country. Hopefully, Obama's example will bring us all back to sanity and we will keep ousting the criminals until the slate is clean.
Jack
I think they get too much power and go completley MAD!
Corruption is in all 50 states, the tolerance level appears to be higher in Illinois!!!. Blagojevich was elected Governor but for some strange reason he let his ego,the power, and his arrogance get in the way of doing the PEOPLE'S business and not his own. Sorry to see him go because he did good things for the people of Illinois, he pass the law for free public transportation rides for seniors, he passed the healthcare law for kids, he passed the increase in minimum wages to $7.75 in July with another increased scheduled for middle of 2009, the man got caught up and forgot what happened to Gov. Ryan. Now we shall see what happens to him AND candidate #5 Jesse Jackson Jr and the pay to play for the Senate seat.
Chicago and PoliticalCorruption are Siamese Twins that can't be separated. Ching and Chang....
John
Pampa, TX
Maybe it's because of Chicago's infamous history of lawlessness. It's like carrying on a tradition of sorts. Capone and others sure started somethin' big!
Jack: I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. I now live in AZ. NO DIFFERENCE!!! Govenors out here have gone to jail too!!! Its everywhere!!! Chicago just has the reputation from the 30's of the home of the gangsters. Believe me, gangsters live out here too!!!
AND a lot of them!!!! This is a right to work state and the rich out here get away with murder!!!!! At least the unions in IL help the middle class.
Ask Obama?
What did the Ill. governor do wrong other than say the things he wanted to happen. Did any of these things happen or did they just record him wishing these things would happen? What happen to freedom of speach. I don't see that he did anything wrong, except to think out-loud.
rdw
the only difference is , in illinois, they get caught.
I tried to say something smart about Illinois politics, maybe something like "If he's an elected official, and if he's from Illinois, then of course he's a crook."
But then I thought of the President-elect. He's from Illinois, too, and I don't believe he's got a crooked bone in his body.
Why do crooks get elected? Because we elect them.
Why do honest people get elected? Same answer.
Jack,
It's quite simple, corruption abounds anywhere you have political interests, it's just a matter of doing it quietly and under the table and if you live here you would know we are not called the "Windy City" for the wind! our politicians seem to have lost their morality and brains after being elected, I suppose if we had a wizard they would be asking him for a moral compass and a brain!
Jack – Illinois is a democratic state.....even though they have had republican governors more than they've had dem governors....
It's not just Illinois, corruption has always been in government, the
bottom line is, "getting caught"
Look at : Karl Rove / Stephens from Alaska / Larry Craig /
(shall I go on ?)
Larry
Houston Texas
It once again proves that Americans have the best government that money could buy.
The same thing wrong with all political corruption-GREED.
I think that they have done this for so long that they have probably written user guides for new politicians in Illinois. This applies to other states as well - but somehow IL has taken this to a higher plateau that previously imagined. I worry that Obama has somehow been unwittingly swept up into this morrass - after all, with the house rules in Illinois being what they are, should we assume that these people let him get in the Senate in the first place?
Imagine if this had come up on November 1st?
it must be something in the water. Or maybe what the Politicians add to the water in their glass that causes the problem.
It's just that for some reason, even though all politicians do it, a certain few always get caught. Unfortunately, or more like fortunately, Illinois is making it a habit.
Illinois isn't different from many states and its politicians are not uniquely corrupt. Hold any jurisdiction, any state under the glare of the public spotlight and watch the rats scurry to hide. The problem with Illinois is its well-reported history, both real and fictionalized in books and movies. Great expectations of P.E. Obama with comparisons to Abraham Lincoln have turned up the wattage for the glare of scrutiny on this state, more so than the others in recent times with the possible exception of Alaska.
The Democratic machine in Illinois has been corrupt for a very long time and nobody rises within that machine without playing the game, including Obama.
Jack,
Whats new about corrupt polaticians in Illinois let alone in any state.
There are only two solutuions, We put out a video for sale called Illinois Governors gane wild. Or we ask congress for a bail out package for Illinois Governors past and present.
Illnois is notorious for it, but , drag a fine tooth comb through every states political processes and see what you get, you will get the same thing that is going on in Illnois. Illnois stands out because they are known for corruption. Obama's presidency is historical and there are going to be historical changes made that is going to change the way of the political process is done.
Illinois' politicians aren't any more corrupt than most, they just get caught more often. To solve their problem, they either need to build a better network to cover for eachother or get rid of the people who keep turning them in. Otherwise, the honesty will start to infect their political structure and they won't be able to stay competative with other states. This is all sarcasm, by the way, incase it's a touchy subject for some.
In the case of Gov. Blagojevich, he has never run against a fomidible, or credible candidate. That has allowed him to gain and maintain the office he currently holds. To my fellow residents of Illinois – will a morally, ethically, resposible and credible candidate (Democrat or Republican) please come forward !!! We need your help now !!!
Jack
Why not ask our president elect maybe he can enlighten us.
From my observations Illinois does not have the corner on corruption as it seems to run rampant among politicians all over America so perhaps Illinois is just better at catching them then many other states.
For that matter you have more criminals in your current White House administration than Illinois will ever have and no one wants to bring them to justice.
I guess you are only corrupt if you get caught and prosecuted.
are you sure your talking about Illinois , they must be coming to LAS VEGAS on weekends and taking notes...
It's genetic.
It goes way back. I think it happened after Lincoln died. Somehow prohibition or the '30s or the great depression or the cold weather and stiff wind caused it. Everyone seems to know it and tolerate it and vote for it and be happy with it. Just keep it in Illinois.
I'll leave that to the people of Illinois to answer. I have enough trouble trying to keep up with the shinanigans in Florida to worry about Illionois. We have a Speaker of the House of Representives that just got a big grant for the school that he attended, and since getting the Leader job has now been employed by the college that he got the large grant for, at a very healthy salary. There is a lot more to the story, but don't want to get you upset about Florida too, we'll just let the people handle this one when we vote next time around.
The only thing I can guess is that for over a hundred years, Chicago was big business, stockyards, etc. And the unions got very strong back then in the factories. The Unions got too strong, and we had Jimmy Hoffa, etc. Some of that old money is still in Chicago. Everybody in Chicago politics belongs to about three big families, and they like keeping it in the family. Even the Governor's wife is a political figure from a big Chicago family. I am sure PE Obama has seen how Chicago is, and he distanced himself from all of them.
As Sean Connery so eloquently said in "The Untouchables": "That's the Chicago way."
The answer is very simple. Illinois (like much of the midwest) is simply another red necked good ole boy club when it comes to politics. Illinois is fastly becoming just another sanctuary state for illegal aliens from Mexico. And for those who this stuff is the isolated to Democrats...get a life. This current genre of self serving rednecks in the GOP are just as bad if not worse.
Maybe corruption is just part of Illinois' DNA.
Because we don't hear about the other states. I think this is a matter of what we hear being reported. Go to any other state and you will hear the same thing, it just ain't making national news.
That and long history of the mob there...
Jack,
I don't think that it's limited to one particular region. People are just greedy. Take a look at the history. People have done a whole lot of crazy things in their quest for money, power, or fame. I just can't believe that guys like that lack so much common sense.
Shirley
I think all politicians are like medical doctors, they all have a God complex, but luckily there are more of us and we are feeling empowered these days.
I doubt very seriously if Illinois has cornered the market on corruption ...
but then who are we to try to impose our morals on others .... one man's/woman's corruption is another man's/woman's efficient business dealings ..... right?
which morals are we going to value and "impose" through the rule of law and which ones are we going to choose to label as wrong?
if we don't have a set of established morals ... then "right and wrong" will be defined by the whims of those in power ... and justice will no longer prevail in America.
Beats me Jack, but our new President-elect was brought up in that system. It makes you wonder how he got where he is doesn't it?
Jack,
Political corruption exists wherever power is not balanced by oversight and real accountability. It is obvious that there is little or no oversight regarding the Illinois governorship. More importantly, the people of Illinois have accepted the norm of backroom political dealings that empowers those that pursue power for personal gain.
Jack,
Obama is tied to this governor like it or not and it is his Senate seat that was involved in the list of crimes. He did need to say something. We know corruption is in every state we read about it often. The point is to me, we must be doing something wrong for these politicians to continue there actions. There seems to be "no fear" in their corrupt actions.
It's in the Deep Dish Pizza. You sell your soul to the Devil every time you take a bite, and it's a lunch-time favorite for Chicago politicians!
That committing a white collar crime is worth the risk of an orange jump-suit when a golden parachute is the grand prize
Heaven knows Jack!! It's quite gruesome, isn't it? Something should be done about going after other political crooks that are out there in all states. But then again, why aren't the citizens of Illinois marching on the Govenor's office? They should have barricaded the doors and not let Blago into the building.
I guess this happens so often that the state of Illinois just accepts it as business as usual. Sad, very sad!
I don't think it's necessarily fair to indict the state of Illinois. All over the country, 2008 has been the year of the disgraced politician. Ted Stevens, Congressman Jefferson, Elliot Spitzer, the list goes on. Although the Illinois governor's arrest is the latest in a sad trend in that state, it's just one more example of corrupt politicos getting everything karma owes them.
yes what is it about illinois; where's president elect obama from again and what's his legal citizen status!
mitt romney ousted becuase of his religion; ron paul thrown to the side because he isn't corrupt and what's in the new's everyday!
good luck!
Maybe we are just better at catching the crooks than other states are.
If we didn't catch them committing crimes no one would ever know.
Possibly other states aren't as adept at ferreting out their criminal elements.
Or maybe we just like to elect crooks, after all we are in the same United States that not only elected Bush but reelected him.
It doesn't matter what state (or even country) you live in, there is corruption ... in one form or another ... at every level of government. Until the citizens of a jurisdiction make informed and ethical decisions about the candidates before they step into the voting booth to cast their ballot, political corruption will be inevitable. We get what we vote for ... if each of us is uninformed about the candidate we choose, then we deserve what we get in return. Somehow, I think the citizens of Illinois wish they had taken a better look at their choice of governor when he ran for election ... but then, I have plenty of questions about my own mayor (who I didn't even vote for in the last election!)
Political corruption Is a 50 state problem not just an Illinois.
The Illinois tradition of bribery and pandering, of payoffs and payouts is rooted in Chicago history. Very similar to the traditions in Kansas City, Newark, Boston, Philedelphia, New York, and Los Angeles, just to name a few. And don't forget Juneau. The culture has been embraced by Wall Street, the defense and oil industries, you name it. Did you ever in your wildest dreams think the federal government would go to war in order to repay political contributors? That the head of FEMA would be appointed based on his political loyalty? We are not who we think we are.
Jack, Corruption is everywhere...from the Whitehouse to the State of Texas where i live. The only difference with Illionois is, they are not shy about it. It is sad but a true fact that corruption is not going to go away as long as people ignore the law of the land. The only thing i hate is the media trying to link someone with corruption when they had nothing to do with it. hang in there Barack
Political corruption Is a 50 state problem not just an Illinois problem.
Illinois probably isn't any worse than many other states when it comes to political corruption.
For some unknown reason the tip of the iceberg seems to keep thawing faster in Illinois.
Bob
Louisville, Ky
Jack I don't think there is a good answer to your question. One would think especially after three governors before governor Blagoojevich were arrested and went to jail, he would think twice before going down the same road. I think that the answer is some people who become politicians, athletes, and celebrities think they are above the law. What else could it be? They have to know they will get caught eventually. Why would a football player take a loaded gun into a nightclub especially after signing a $35 million contract and risk losing everything? They must believe that the law doesn't apply do them and they are free to do whatever they want.
Well it's hasn't caught Texas and Bush yet, but it's getting there!
In fact I believe all states to be corrupt...however Illinois has Chicago "The Windy City" so maybe with the breeze... it's easier to smell the stink of corruption more!!!
I am from Chicago and I have no idea why that great city has so much corruption and it is a great city.
I live in Alabama now and am truly embarrassed about this.
Diane in Huntsville, Alabama
How should I know, I'm from Jersey and we could probably give them a run for their money ...that is if no one bribed them with it yet ==NJ
i didnt see it on Ebay what happend was it only for insiders
more and more politicans judges cops and next news people will be in jail and criminals wont be
Still today people believe the malfia still exist in Illinois and do business the way they did years ago. Those politicians who are corrupt would have been run out of town in most States so they feed off the legacy of Illinois' history for corruption.
Very simple...the Al Capone corruption lives on!
At least our state officials don't get caught for affairs with call girls
It's rather difficult to speak about corruption in Illinois government when I live in a state that produced George Wallace and Don Siegleman. I sometimes think that you cannot get elected to office unless you grease palms and do favors for unsavory characters.
There's nothing "about" Illinois. It's just like every other state in the corruption department; but they're the lousiest at it, because they get caught most often.
All governments in all types of political system are corrupt, some more so than others.
We know more about our corruptions because we are in a free society, but places like China run amuck with corrupt officials.
Illinois is no different than any other state and if you don't believe that, wait a few days and some other state will have a black eye from someone selling a senate seat or fixing the prices on computers like the Dallas School system.
What we need to do, is make sure these people loose all their ill gotten gains and spend years in a very bad place.
Dick
Flower Mound, TX
Too much jazz and too many White Sox.
My hunch is there are an aweful lot of politicians out there that do these types of things all the time but manage not to get caught...especially the gifts for favors!
Jack
It is just not Illinois, you need to include Washington DC and then include the Senate and House and then add K Street and then the White House and then on and on and on.
Keep fighting for us Jack
Corruption is just as old as prostitution; depending on who plays it, how it is played, it will always be there at all levels – local, state or federal. It's a shame.
Jack,
Why doesn't Gov. Blagojevich just appoint himself the Senate seat left vacant by the President-Elect, and resign as governor. That way there is no "taint" to the senate seat and Illinois gets a new governor with no dispute. Proving the politics of that state cannot be bought.
The problem with Illinois started long ago and is so engrained into the way of politics, that it has beconme 'second nature'. It appears the only way to get 'in' is by hook or by crook.
I'm not sure that I am even concerned about corruption in Illinois, nor the city of Chicago. Among the country's large cities, Chicago is easily the cleanest and most efficient of them all. As long as things get done, corruption doesn't affect me.
it's always been so even before Daley Sr. & nothing added to this blog or in any other venue will ever change Illinois and specifically Chicago.
jack, it's very simple, it 's what feeds the machine, i was born and raised in chicago, we learned to drive and how to pay the cops, the same lesson, it's how the city will and always work, it's all about money.
Sounds to me like there are a lot of stupid people in the state. If you keep voting for corrupt politicians then you deserve what you get. Have they ever thought of voting for an unknown instead of the thieves that are always in the spotlight.
Is it that corruption is a just a part of Illinois or is it that Illinois exposes the corruption? Doesn't corruption happen everywhere?
Its gotta be in the water!
Have you all failed to make the Obama-Blagojevich connection? Do your research. Both are Apples from the same Tree. It's a matter of time before all you naive, uneducated about Illinois Politics, get a dose of reality.
This is the begining of another Watergate. Before it is over (about 2yrs.) Obama will probably have to resign from the Oval Office.
Believing that high political office in Illinois is available to those who are not Teamster approved is naive. Interesting that the Obama recipe for U.S. recovery centers on Teamster dominated industries.
chicago has been a mob political city . Go back to the first daley, his son who has escaped pursecution and all the othersurrounding towns cicero, melrose park,schiller park, forest park, you name a city, town in illinois its corrupt.
The Mafia. The day before his arrest the Governor, in support of factory workers who lost their funding from Bank of America, said his state would suspend doing business with B of A till they restored funding. Now where is he?
jack
i think the gov of ill needs to step down
Now, Illinois has not cornered the market on corruption either...I think big cities with old mob, gangster, union ties and dynasty families in control, such as NY, NJ and Chicago, tend to have "traditional" ways of doing business that, some refuse to let go! Until these traditions die...neither will this "style" of doing business. Maybe some of this "quiet" time behind bars will continue to "convince" some of these nostalgic politicians to find a new way to do business.
Remember Chicago is not all of Illinois. Corruptions is through out all our goverment at all levels. How can these Senators, Congressmen set and rail at " Wall Street" , auto firms, when they the leaders have set the example for the rest of the country. Tell me how Obama rised the millions of contribution if the vast majority of the large contributors weren't expecting something in return. Until campaign spending is reigned in and term limits are put on polliticians we cannot stop the corruptions set by special interest and the politicians they buy.
I would need to check out an awful lot of history books to see if Illinois is more corrupt than lots of other states. Might be that they just get caught more.
Perhaps seeing the corruption in Illinois prompted him toward working even harder for change. It appears that throughout his entire career, he has been strong on ethics. He may have seen the job as president as easier than dealing with & having to put up with what he believed was WRONG.
hey congress the governor in Illinois need a bail out.
Frankly I don't see much difference between what is happening in Illinois and what happens in government all the time –we call them names like lobbyists and take for granted taht they have the American people at heart. Can you imagine what would happen to these people in China? But, we get what we pay for or what we really don't bother caring for.
Queens, NY
This is why we need term limits. Certain politicians after they get elected start becoming greedy and power hungry to the point where they forget they were elected to serve the interest of the people who elected them and not for their own personal gains. They are not above the law whether it's purchasing prostitutes or selling senates seats they all should be punished to the full extent of the law. In my book they are no different than the crook on the street, except they do it in stylish suits.
The Governor has been under investigation for years. Everyone in the state knew except him apparently. Before yesterday I had been telling people for months that the feds would be coming for the Bagojevich the day he left office. I never imagined they would arrest a sitting governor. US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is nothing if not careful. He has the goods on this guy. The federal penetenary at Oxford, WI might as well save a space and issue a number for him now. The Boytoy is going down hard and will sing like a bird to reduce his sentence. There are, no doubt, some other politicians in Illinois who will not be getting a good nights sleep for a long time.
Jack it is not illinois that is the problem. As a citizen from central illinois we have no power over who becomes governor, but chicago does. They are the ones who elect currupt politions. if it were up to us who live in central and southern illinois we would have two states illinois and Chicago.
Political corruption in Illinois is grown from Chicago politics. Since the majority of the voting power comes from Chicago and northern Illinois that's where the tone is set.
Unfortunately for those of us downstate we are forced to choose from politicians that are dirty on both sides when it comes to gubenatorial elections. Then after the elections watch our tax monies sucked into the Chicago area, using us as the life support keeping the "business as usual" politcs up north operating, rather than forcing the area to be fiscally responsible and clean up it's act.
I can't understand why Blagovich needs money, when I feel so-so sold out by him and others to Ameren I Power. They were all a part of allowing a conglomerate to raise their rates by 40-70% and rape people who have no recourse but to pay or have no heat or power. Now J. Jackson comes on T.V. and acts like d. Nixon. I'm not a crook but I sure would like a senate seat. This is the first I heard of him and wonder why should he be promoted over anyone else, even though he received free press, all Illinoisians aren't dumb enough to believe such butt covering !
Dear Jack:
The Chicago Tribune's headline should read "Al Capone is back in Chicago!!"
Khalil
We should all be very proud of our Gov; he is undeniably the
perfect example of a TRUE American.
carl
Is the moffia still alive and active. Sounds like something right out of a
God Father Movie. Old traditions are hard to break. The good ole boy
system of transfer of favors for $$ or power positions has always been
a part of politics . Guess the Governor got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Hope they slam it to him. What ever happened to honesty and integrity?.
It is hard to explain politics in Illinois, without talking of Chicago. For us Illinoisans south of Chicago, we have a hard time voting for candidates we want because of the Chicago machine; The “Machine” out numbers the rest of us Illinoisans. Thank God, for Fitzpatrick and work to bring down the “Machine,” or at least slow it down so we Illinoisans can get our candidate in there that will reinvent and support all of Illinois, and not just Chicago. Today I feel Liberated.
jack all that is wrong with illinois politics is chicago the state capitol is in springfield we should demand that our governs live and work there downstate politics are a lot different than chicago the last few crooks in the govs office have lived and goverend have done so in the windy city
Boy, talk about being in denial. I read many of these comments but finally had to stop. The first step in rehabilitation is being able to admit the truth. The truth is that Chicago politics has been marred by corruption for 100 years and no one, absolutely no one ,who came up in Chicago politics, has had the ability or courage to break the mold. Without facing their problem, the rest of the country should not expect any change.
I was wondering if it's in the water Jack. Democracy for sale. It's embarrassing.