Illinois lawmakers water down ethics reform law
Illinois lawmakers would rather ensure that they get a piece of the stimulus pie than ensure that another Blago scandal doesn’t humiliate their state again.
Blago is laughing his helmet head off:
House lawmakers today begrudgingly voted to knock a hole in the new pay-to-play ethics law aimed at curbing Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s prolific fund-raising because Washington officials threatened to block federal dollars for roads and bridges.
The legislation, sent to the Senate on a 77-35 vote, would exempt transportation projects from the new law that prohibits businesses that have or seek state contracts worth more than $50,000 from donating to statewide officeholders who dole out the business. The fate of the legislation in the Senate is uncertain.
The move was ridiculed by opponents who questioned why the law is being watered down only days after the governor was impeached for allegations that included shaking down state contractors for campaign contributions.Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), the sponsor, acknowledged “it’s somewhat of a bitter pill” to change the ethics law inspired by Blagojevich’s frequent distribution of lucrative state contracts to big campaign donors.
But he said federal officials already have told Illinois the state could lose federal funding for projects because the ethics law potentially restricts who is eligible to bid for the business. Having fewer bidders could make projects cost more. State officials said the restriction could impact projects going to bid this month.
With Illinois hoping to take advantage of a federal stimulus package, the change must be made to ensure the state does not lose out on federal money, Fritchey said.
Rep. Bill Black (R-Danville) protested the change “doesn’t make a lot of sense” given the federal charges that Blagojevich tried to auction the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, who actually supported the Illinois law.
Further, Black feared the lawmakers will create a loophole that will spur a future “scandal.”
(link)
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Categories: Corruption
In other words the Federal regulations encourage corruption. THAT is th REAL story here, IMHO.
There is that “pay for play” euphemism again. Corruption is a crime, ethics is just for feeling nice. Time to put the criminals in jail.
Corruption in Democrat politics is getting to be such a dog-bites-man story.
Just moved to Vegas a few months ago. The difference in the quality of roada between Illinois and other states is amazing. From living in “Pothole Land” to actual decent roads is a shock.
Why is this? It is because road contracts are some of the most crooked construction contracts in Illinois. One company was banned from state contracts due to shenanigans.
On January 13th, 2009 at 11:34 am, Socky said:
Agreed – corruption and Democrat have become pretty much synonymous, so it’s a given.
Most other states do not have the freezing and thawing we do in Flyover Country. That’s not to say Illinois contracting is not the most ethical in the world.
Ethics, we don’t need no stinkin’ ethics!
Also cuts down on the size of the bribes. For Sale; One good house in Southern Illinois. Reduced price.
I believe the real story here is how the Feds can hold the states hostage with the simple threat of exclusion from federal funding if you don’t play by our rules.
The Founding Fathers believed that the states should maintain powers not specifically granted to the Federal Government to avoid a large Federal Government from having too much power.
Now look what we have become.
In my mind, the threat of withholding federal funds from states who do not fall in line is almost as corrupt a process as whats going on in IL.
Besides, it ain’t profitable!
“Don’t bother us with this, “The Bachelor” is on.
- J.Q. Public
Chicago (with apologies to Frank Sinatra)
Chicago, Chicago — that hand-out town.
Chicago, Chicago — I will take your bribe now. I love it.
Bet your bottom dollar for appointment in Chicago, Chicago.
The town Blagojevich couldn’t shut down.
On State Street, that great street, I’d just want to say -
They bribe like nowhere in the USA.
They have gall, the gall to rip you off.
Saw a Governor sitting at the trough.
In Chicago, Chicago — my poor town.
(repeat)
Think I can get the Nelson Riddle Orchestra to accompany?
Private sector hot mix paving goes for $1.66 a square foot. The price to the government is $3.60. Nothing to see here folks. Move along.
I’m originally from Blago/Rahm’s 5th district. Go to Milwaukee and see the streets.Much better streets. Only in Chicago does asphalt get stolen. If they wanted to build better, longer lasting roads, they could. Road construction is one of the biggest plums the pols have to give, as in the “Hired Truck” scandal.
In the name of competition? Aren’t bribes, kick-backs and political contributions figured into the bids? Or, is THAT why they always go over budget…
noTnoP said: (#9)
A view that was reinforced in the Tenth Amendment. I think that balance was unfortunately weakened after the Civil War and demolished in the FDR years. The only good side was that slavery and Jim Crow laws were finally wiped out by federal action.
I have a plaintive wish: when the “living constitution” (no caps on Constitution for them) people want to ignore or change the Constitution, they are honest enough to amend the document.
Touche! I lived in Wisconsin for a year and was also impressed with their roads, Many of their secondary roads are asphalt.
Hat tip. Your point is well made.
Once you reach a point where the majority of public officials are currupt, they have little fear of being exposed by their peers, since they too are currupt. They become bolder in their crimes againts the citizenry.
That is where we are today and it will continue to get worse until the people wake up and throw them out of office.
absolutely mad chef. until people quit voting for black robed gods who think maddof should suffer in his stolen penthouse, and crooked pols who pass out party favors worth billions to their families and cronies, we will never have a government working for we the people.
Chicago doesn’t know what ethics are.
sniff, sniff…what’s that I smell…oh yeah, after a better whiff I know what it is…2nd American Revolution. That’s not to say necessarily guns and more guns is the only way to revolt.
politics and ethics are at the opposite ends of the spectrum.
So, it is not possible to have a corruption law because we are too corrupt?
How does ANY company survive in Illinois WITHOUT BEING a TOTALLY CORRUPT?
Think about it, these ‘representatives’ are actually claiming that doing business with corrupt companies is preferable to doing business with honest ones.
‘Change we can believe in!’ – - The Obama/Illinois/Chicago way!
you can’t shame the shameless…