December 2008
Christmas 2008
Pontiac, Ill. -
Sen. Dan Rutherford
said this morning that even though there
are many calls for Gov. Rod Blagojevich
to resign he does not believe it will
happen.
The calls for resignation are following
the disclosure on Tuesday of federal
charges against the governor and his
subsequent arrest on the charges.
“I believe a resignation by the governor
is probably unlikely because it would
not be his style,” said Rutherford,
R-Chenoa, in an exclusive interview with
The Daily Leader. “I think his
resignation would be unlikely at the
present time.”
The State Journal- Register
By Staff Report
This week’s State Capitol Q&A takes a
closer look at Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s insistence on staying
in office, despite a groundswell of calls for him to step
down because of federal criminal allegations of corruption.
Q: What is the governor saying about his
situation?
A: Not a lot. Blagojevich avoided making
any significant public statements for 10 days after his
arrest, until last Friday afternoon. He read a brief
statement at the state’s Thompson Center in Chicago making
it crystal clear he won’t go away quietly.
“I will fight, I will fight, I will
fight, until I take my last breath,” Blagojevich told a
packed room of reporters. “I have done nothing wrong, and
I’m not going to quit a job the people hired me to do
because of false accusations and a political lynch mob.”
The governor said he intends to answer
questions only in court and walked away.
Ex-advisor to panel: Order Blago to get psych evaluation
Chicago Sun-Times
Dave McKinney
SPRINGFIELD — When former Chicago
television broadcaster Bob Arya joined Gov. Blagojevich's
staff as a senior advisor in November 2006, the governor
described him as “a real asset to my administration.”
But when Arya's run with Blagojevich
came to an end, he had a story to tell — one of intense
jealousies by the governor toward President-elect Barack
Obama, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and
others, a terrorized staff, and emotional instabilities
that Arya said demonstrate the need for a psychological
evaluation by the legislative panel weighing the
governor's impeachment.
Jerry Clarke speaks on Iraq
Jerry Clarke recently spoke to a
group of veterans and others about his three tours in
Iraq. Jerry is a pilot and in his last tour, he flew
General David Petraeus around Iraq. In addition to being
an Army Lieutenant Colonel, Jerry is Chief of Staff for
Congressman Tim Johnson
A special thank you to Jerry and all
of the other servicemen and women for their service to our
country!
Impeachment
process moves forward
I am on the Senate Committee to draft
rules and procedures for a trial in the Senate for
Governor Blagojevich. We are down to a few final
details.... hope to have final draft soon and resolved by
next week. For current news about the impeachment
activities please visit the Committee for Legislative
Action website.
Travis McGlasson
Travis was part of Team Rutherford but has moved on to other
ventures. Since leaving about three years ago, he has married
Lindsey and they are expecting their first child in March. He
also has been elected to the Marshall County Board. Travis
stopped by for a visit and dinner . . . a bought dinner.
Things haven’t changed!
I
wish Travis and Lindsey all the best as they wait to welcome
their first child.
State Rep. Wyvetter Younge dies at 78
EAST ST. LOUIS — Wyvetter H. Younge, one of the
longest-serving current members of the Illinois House, has
died. She was 78.
Younge was taken to a hospital with a
bleeding artery on Dec. 9. She died Friday night from
complications that arose during surgery, said her daughter,
Margaret Hewitt.
Frank
Watson update
Frank
and Susan Watson are in Florida and are enjoying it
immensely! Their children and grandson will be visiting this
winter. They have been able to get into the pool nearly every
day, so Frank can do some aquatic exercises which are very
helpful. He goes to physical therapy for several hours 3 days
a week and they really work him hard!
They have a State Park next door, so Frank and Susan go over
there to practice his driving. Susan says people must wonder
why they are going around in circles and pulling in & out of
parking spots! Frank will soon be no more of a hazard than
most of the old folks who are driving down there!
They
are driving the Mustang convertible, although it's caused
them some problems. They have looked at some cars & there are
very good deals right now. Frank, of course, is looking for
an even BETTER deal, so you know he's pretty much back to
normal!
Attached is a recent photo and Susan says it's not bad except
for "beach hair"...a real problem for Frank.
Frank
is doing really well. Keep Susan and him in your prayers.
The inside of my freezer
I like to spend cold winter weekend days
cooking soups. I freeze them in containers for lunches later.
The inside of a person's freezer isn't quite like going
through their medicine cabinet, but does reveal the left
over's!
Bonnie moves to the no passing lane!
I have sad news to report about
Bonnie, my 2002 Pontiac Bonneville. I recently got the report that she is
totaled, in other words, Bonnie is dead. This is a very upsetting time for
Team Rutherford. Bonnie has been a valued member of our extensive efforts.
She reached the ripe od (odometer) miles of 315,435.
Bonnie came to me as a company car
because of my being an officer of ServiceMaster. She was a shiny new girl in
2002. When she reached her prime with the company, I personally acquired
her. Bonnie has been with me throughout my state-wide ventures. She has
visited all 102 Illinois Counties, seen Air Force One and driven family
members of candidates for President of the United States.
In late October Bonnie needed a
transmission transplant. It was a time of concern for Team Rutherford. After
going under the wrench, she made a full recovery. We were elated.
I was not in the car when it
happened, but a staff member was in an accident on his way to take Bonnie
for an oil change. No human was hurt, but Bonnie suffered more injuries than
recoverable.
It was a very sad day for Team
Rutherford. Bonnie is off the wide open road and on to being a donor for
parts transplant. She will be missed.
Bonnie’s replacement will have big
treads to fill. I’ll introduce you to the new team member later, but for
now, we mourn her leaving us and celebrate her life.
R. I. P. Bonnie
Bonnie started 2005
with 139, 335 miles
2006 with 192,710 miles
2007 with 246, 620 miles
2008 with 281, 300 miles
Bonnie celebrated 300,000
miles on July 15th at 9:45 AM in
Chicago.
On November 6, 2008 with 315,435
miles, Bonnie was involved in an accident on Route 116 near Old Route
66 at Pontiac.
December 2008 Bonnie was
pronounced dead by the insurance company, but her legacy will live on!
CHICAGO
(CBS) ― Gov. Rod Blagojevich spent most of the day in
his office at the Thompson Center. He still hasn't commented
on the investigation, but plenty of others are talking about
how they want him gone.
Meanwhile questions linger about contact between the
governor and the president-elect.
CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports that the governor is back at
home Wednesday night in Ravenswood Manor. There's been no
activity outside of his house since.
All appears normal, but it is anything but as the cloud of
the federal complaint alleging he tried to sell the
president-elect's Senate seat hangs over him.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich (far right) leaves his
Ravenswood home the morning of Dec. 10, 2008, the day after he was arrested on
federal corruption charges. Photo courtesy of CBS2 Chicago.
Feds taped Blagojevich: Adviser cooperated with corruption
probe, sources say
Federal investigators recently made covert tape recordings of
Gov. Rod Blagojevich in the most dramatic step yet in their
corruption investigation of him and his administration, the
Tribune has learned.
As part of this undercover effort, one of the governor's
closest confidants and former aides cooperated with
investigators, and that assistance helped lead to recordings
of the governor and others, sources said.
World War II Registry
On a recent trip to
Washington, D.C., I visited the impressive World War II
Memorial. While I was there, I became aware of the World War
II Registry, which is a data-base of names of Americans in the
war effort in uniform or on the home front. Home front
activities include working in defense-related industries,
recycling of materials needed for the war effort and more.
If there is someone
you would like to see honored, you may enter their name in the
registry via internet or by mail. To register a name via
internet, go to
http://www.wwiimemorial.com Click on the “WWII Registry”
button at the left. To register a name via mail, call
800-639-4992 and a form will be mailed to you.
Ann Romney
I got to know Ann Romney when
I coordinated Illinois for her husband Mitt’s GOP presidential
candidacy. Recently Ann was diagnosed with early-stage breast
cancer. She is feeling fine after undergoing a lumpectomy, but
this is particularly difficult because Ann has Multiple
Sclerosis. In a statement issued to the press, Ann said,
“While this is commonly referred to as early-stage breast
cancer, it is technically not cancer, but rather precancer, as
it has not become invasive."
Our
prayers are with Ann and her family as she recovers.
Thank you for the Holiday Cards
Thank
you for the Holiday cards. I appreciate your thoughtfulness
and good wishes. I read them, personally, and share them
with my family and staff. Then, as a firm believer in
recycling, I send the front of the cards to a long term care
facility where the residents use them for projects.
I wish
you Happy Holidays!
Chris Britt's editorial cartoon for Thursday, Dec. 18.
Visiting the Eastern Part of my District
When
the Illinois General Assembly is not in session, I try to
visit various parts of my District. I recently visited some
of the eastern part with stops in Gibson City, Paxton,
Hoopeston, Rossville and Champaign. During this trip I was
able to distribute energy efficient light bulbs to nursing
homes and speak with the media.
Gibson City
The
first stop was the Gibson City Heritage Manor where I met
with Administrator Karen Christensen for a tour. It is an
excellent facility with great staff and residents.
Paxton
In
Paxton I met with friends Gwen Ennen, Carl Hudson and Mayor
Bill Ingold for lunch at the Tin Pan. It was good to visit
over a nice lunch. Next I stopped at the Heartland Health
Care Center where Tracy Calver and Doug Maxey showed me
their outstanding facility.
Hoopeston
At the
Hoopeston Community Memorial Nursing Home, I enjoyed
visiting and playing some Illinois trivia with the
residents.
Rossville
In
Rossville I met with Mayor Terry Prillaman and dropped off
light bulbs for the city to distribute to residents. It was
good to visit with Mayor Prillaman and others. Terry also
showed me some historical buildings near City Hall.
Champaign Media
The
final aspect of the eastern trip was two media stops in
Champaign. I interviewed with Scott at WICD TV and Amanda
with WCIA TV.
Thank
you everyone! It was an enjoyable day.
Washington, D.C.
Senator Christine Radogno
and I visited Washington, D.C. just before Thanksgiving. We were honored to be
invited by the Bush Administration to have lunch at the White House. Justin
McCarthy, from Illinois, works in the White House. His brother, Sean, joined us.
We also went to see leaders
at the National Republican Leadership Conference in Alexandria, VA. In
addition, we had dinner with National Congressional staff friends.
Here are links to view the
White House lunch menu.
Menu Cover
Menu Page One
Menu Page Two and Three
Menu Page Four
Menu Back Cover
Sign
warning of rats in Blagojevich's alley taken down
City Hall smells a rat behind the Northwest Side home of Gov. Blagojevich -- and
it has nothing to do with the corruption charges leveled against the governor.
Earlier this week, Chicago Sun-Times photographer John White shot a picture of
the governor ducking out of his Ravenswood Manor home to avoid passing through a
news media gauntlet.
The photo showed Blagojevich next to a city sign that said, "Warning" and
"Target Rats" with a picture of a rat inside a bull's-eye.
PONTIAC — In light of the governor’s legal troubles, State
Sen. Dan Rutherford wants the Illinois Department of Corrections to suspend the
closure of Pontiac Correctional Center.
Gov Rod Blagojevich announced in May his intention to close the prison, saying
the state would save $4 million a year. Rutherford said he thinks the department
disagrees with the governor, whose own political future was thrown into doubt by
his arrest Tuesday on federal corruption charges.
Cartoon courtesy of State
Journal-Register
Mike Lawrence: Illinois’ financial day of reckoning is close
at hand
Illinois is drifting toward a mediocrity
that could deny our kids and grandkids the economic
opportunity and quality of life that have lifted generation
after generation in this heartland hub. Yet, most residents do
not sense the urgency, do not understand the depth and breadth
of an unprecedented budgetary meltdown and do not trust their
leaders any more than their leaders trust each other.
State government has borrowed billions
from future wage-earners, used one-time revenues for ongoing
expenses and shamelessly delayed payments to service providers
for months and months — all so Gov. Rod Blagojevich could
dramatically expand government-paid health care and boost
school funding while demonizing tax increases to support those
causes.
Diary Dates
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