Gov. Pat Quinn said he expects University of Illinois president B. Joseph White to resign today in the wake of the school's clout controversy. Quinn said, "He's let me know that something is imminent and I think that'll happen today," adding, "This is totally voluntary." The Tribune has more here.
The woes of Mayor Daley continue. With the parking meter deal and the Olympic bid coming under extreme scrutiny, and his nephew's wheelings and dealings, the last thing he needs is another accusation of shady hiring practices, especially in the wake of this year's Hired Trucks trial. But that's what he's getting. Yesterday afternoon, Human Resources Commissioner Homero Tristan, the man Daley brought in to help the city avoid such scandals, resigned in the wake of accusations of lying by city Inspector General David Hoffman; Hoffman had called for Tristan's firing two weeks ago. In spite of the resignation, Tristan maintains his innocence, claiming it's now impossible for him to defend himself while also trying to serve the city. Tristan said (via the Sun-Times):
Poor Sen. Burris. The vultures are circling with eyes on the 2010 election to grab the seat from him and now, as if the shouting for his resignation from his home state weren't loud enough, other places are chiming in. The Washington Post today ran an editorial calling on Sen. Burris to resign.
We warned that anyone who accepted the appointment from Mr. Blagojevich to fill Mr. Obama's Senate seat would be suspect. With each passing month, Mr. Burris proves us right. He proves why the power to fill Senate vacancies should rest with voters at the ballot box in a special election. And he proves why he should resign.We don't expect the Post to get their way, but we do expect the issue will be moot come 2010. (Thanks for the tip, Garry!)
County Board President Todd Stroger, who's just getting started on his "I am sorry; please vote for me next year" tour, has requested and accepted the resignation of his Chief Financial Officer and cousin, Donna Dunnings. Dunnings resigned over the fallout from the revelations of the recent firing of a patronage worker who had a felony check-kiting conviction on his record. Stroger's not talking details, but he told the Tribune in a phone interview that the fired worker is making "explosive" and "not flattering" allegations against Dunnings that could hurt her ability to do her job. It took the hiring and firing of a convicted felon to tender Dunnings's resignation? that was all?
It's been a busy day for Sen. Roland Burris, or at least in the press. Here's (most of) what's happened.
AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson
Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat. I agree with their decision, and it is extremely disappointing that Governor Blagojevich has chosen to ignore it. I believe the best resolution would be for the Governor to resign his office and allow a lawful and appropriate process of succession to take place. While Governor Blagojevich is entitled to his day in court, the people of Illinois are entitled to a functioning government and major decisions free of taint and controversy.
Rahm Emanuel will be resigning his 5th U.S. Congressional District seat this Friday, January 2nd. Emanuel informed his constituents (including a few of us) of the decision via a recorded phone message. Seriously, for the first five seconds, I thought Rahm was actually returning one of my numerous phone calls; not cool! Anyway. Lynn Sweet has a list of those who have already expressed an interest in pursuing the seat and it's pretty long already: Alexander Victor Forys, Mike Quigley, Charles J. Wheelan, Sara Feigenholtz, Reichel Matthew, Joey Vartanian, Israel Vasquez, Justin Oberman, Cary Capparelli, Debra Mell, and Jan H. Donatelli. Meanwhile, Emanuel's Chicago and D.C. offices will remain open as to allow any current casework to be completed. A special election will now be scheduled to select Rahm's replacement.
Jeffrey Dailey, the new executive director of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, has stepped down from his post after a month on the job, possibly stemming from the arrest of Governor Rod Blagojevich. Per the Trib:
In the complaint filed by U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald last week, Blagojevich is alleged to have pressured an unidentified highway contractor to raise $500,000 for his campaign fund before he announced a $1.8 billion tollway construction program.Continue reading "New Tollway Chief Steps Down"
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
While we sit and wait for the inevitable impeachment proceedings to begin against embattled Governor Blagojevich - though some people aren't so patient - it seems he may do us all a favor and step down as early as Monday. Having already retained Ed Genson, the same lawyer who has represented R. Kelly and Conrad Black, Blago made his first public comments on Friday.
As he left the federal courthouse after a visit to the pretrial services office, a reporter asked the governor, "Do you have anything to say to the people of Illinois?"Continue reading "Blago Mulls Resignation, Could Make Decision By Monday"
John Harris, Governor Rod Blagojevich's Chief of Staff who was arrested along with governor on Tuesday on corruption and fraud charges, has resigned. Harris' attorney, Terry Ekl, said Harris dropped the letter of at the office in person and has no plans to go back.
Red-Light Cameras Not So Special?
Cubs Combat Casino
PHOTOS: Peaches And Amanda Blank At Metro
How To: Simple Salad Dressing
Properly Sauced: Auditorium Cocktail
add to digg
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
email this
tweet this
add to facebook