http://www.pjstar.com/stories/102506/END_BBAV1F3H.058.shtml

Secretary of State: Dan Rutherford

Peoria Journal Star

Editorial

October 25, 2006

Secretary of State Jesse White is the gentleman of Illinois politics.

His work with underprivileged inner city kids through his Jesse White Tumblers and his civil rights advocacy are laudable. "I'm running on my record" of the last eight years, he says. That includes restoring integrity to the office he inherited from George Ryan, he says. As always, the 72-year-old Democrat from Chicago makes it a point to politely request the newspaper's endorsement.

We can't give it to him because he still doesn't get it in a state that is the ethical laughingstock of the nation. No, White has not been accused of misconduct, as too many others have in state government. Nepotism and poor judgment, in and of themselves, are not crimes.

White just doesn't understand what's wrong with nearly tripling his daughter's salary at the secretary of state's office, to more than $112,000. He doesn't appreciate the fuss over hiring her stepson at a reported income of more than $40,000, or his nephew and three nieces at up to $63,000 annually. He doesn't see the problem with putting his biographer on the payroll at $73,000 a year. Nor is White convinced there's anything untoward about the employment of his chief of staff's wife, three children, niece, nephew, aunt and cousin, or his personnel director's bride at a part-time wage of some $30 an hour. Recently, one of White's former directors was convicted in a ghost payrolling scam that went on for six years. He was hired by White despite an earlier felony conviction.

We could go on, but we think readers already have a sense of what GOP challenger Dan Rutherford means when he says, "It doesn't pass the smell test." Rutherford, 51, of Chenoa, has pledged that if elected, neither he nor ranking staff will hire family members. No-bid contracts will not be permitted, nor will he accept Christmas gifts from employees, as White did before it became an issue.

Beyond that, Rutherford has much to recommend him. A 14-year legislator - the last four in the state Senate - he has administrative experience as an executive with ServiceMaster Corp. As such customer service is a high priority. He'd allow folks to make appointments at drivers' license facilities, expand office hours, send out e-mail reminders for license renewal, allow the use of credit and debit cards at all SOS outposts. Parents will be able to access their teenager's driving record online.

Jesse White has been an adequate secretary of state who has helped toughen license and training requirements for rookie drivers, made it easier to get renewal stickers and streamlined the process for organ donation. Where he's erred is in treating this public office like a private family business.

Across the board, Illinois government demands a good scrubbing. Dan Rutherford is just the guy to do it in the Secretary of State's office.