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The Mechanics
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Blagojevich Mon Jun 01 2009

Blago Talked to Durbin About Senate

It's amazing how this still makes the news and he's only been gone since late February. It's as if it's not enough that another piece of his handiwork, Roland Burris had dominated the news next week. Why is it still important?

Sources tell The Associated Press that Blagojevich told Sen. Dick Durbin he was thinking of naming Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to the seat.

Last November, Madigan said she did not believe she was even being considered.

A Madigan appointment would have been a political shocker. Blagojevich had been warring politically with her father, powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, on and off for Blagojevich's two terms in office.

Blagojevich said he wanted a deal in which the elder Madigan would allow a construction program through the House and take action on a Blagojevich-backed health care plan in return for his daughter's appointment.

Said to be two weeks before he got pinched by the FBI! Funny thing is, would he have been sure that ploy would have worked? Could he have even been trusted to follow through on this?

 
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Feature

Parents Still Steaming, but About More Than Just Boilers

By Phil Huckelberry / 2 Comments

It's now been 11 days since the carbon monoxide leak which sent over 80 Prussing Elementary School students and staff to the hospital. While officials from Chicago Public Schools have partially answered some questions, and CPS CEO Forrest Claypool has informed that he will be visiting the school to field more questions on Nov. 16, many parents remain irate at the CPS response to date. More...

Civics

Substance, Not Style, the Source of Rahm's Woes

By Ramsin Canon / 2 Comments

It's not surprising that some of Mayor Emanuel's sympathizers and supporters are confusing people's substantive disputes with the mayor as the effect of poor marketing on his part. It's exactly this insular worldview that has gotten the mayor in hot... More...

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Mechanics is the politics section of Gapers Block, reflecting the diversity of viewpoints and beliefs of Chicagoans and Illinoisans. More...
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Editor: Mike Ewing, mike@gapersblock.com
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