Senate Week in Review: Thomson prison sells to federal government, McCormick Place extends lucrative contracts, plus more
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Springfield, Ill. – As the state begins the process of shutting down several correctional facilities, Gov. Pat Quinn this week announced the sale of the Thomson Correctional Center to the federal government, said State Sen. Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove).
Also this week, the extension of two lucrative trade show contracts at McCormick Place underscore the positive impact of the 2011 labor work rule reforms at the facility, while a new study finds total state debt is increasing—at a cost of $21,607 per Illinois citizen.
Sen. Sandack reminds local residents that Governor Quinn’s Mortgage Relief Project—a key component of the new Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN)—will hold an event at Downers Grove North High School tomorrow, Saturday, October 6th, to help struggling west suburban homeowners take advantage of programs that can help them save their homes from foreclosure. The free workshops will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (registration closes at 12 noon) in the cafeteria at Downers Grove North High School, 4436 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515. The free workshops will offer helpful advice about mortgage refinancing, foreclosure prevention, legal rights, credit counseling and avoiding scam artists. Homeowners can also obtain private, one-on-one housing counseling with HUD-certified counselors and are encouraged to bring their latest mortgage documents (bills, statements, notices, etc.), two most recent paystubs, and their state ID or driver’s license. Please visit Sen. Sandack’s website at www.senatorsandack.com for more information.
Though Illinois’ overcrowded prison system continues to be a public safety issue and a sore spot between Gov. Pat Quinn and state correctional employees, Governor Quinn recently announced the sale of the state’s Thomson Correctional Center to the federal government.
The governor says more than 1,100 jobs will be created as a result of the federal takeover of the state prison, which has been underused since it was constructed in 2001.
The sale price was $165 million. In 2009, the prison was valued at $220 million, nearly $60 million more than what Illinois received from the federal government. The state originally spent $145 million to build the prison, not including interest on the borrowing used to finance the construction.
At the Oct. 2 news conference announcing the sale, the Governor indicated the money would go to pay the state’s outstanding bills, which total about $8 billion. He has also indicated a portion of the proceeds may go to bond payments and expressed an interest in working with legislators to allocate funds from the sale.
However, there may be wrinkles in the purchase process due to state laws regulating the sale of public property, including what portion of the $165 million sale price must be used to pay off the state bonds which were used to finance the original construction costs. Illinois taxpayers could also be on the hook for interest on the costs to finance the prison, an amount that exceeds $50 million to date. That amount was originally scheduled to approach $100 million by the time the state bonds are paid off.
The purchase, which has been in the works for several years, was not okayed by the U.S. House of Representatives, which constitutionally has the responsibility of authorizing spending. Soon after the sale was announced, Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf, who chairs a House subcommittee overseeing the sale, blasted the deal, accusing the Obama Administration of circumventing Congress.
Wolf has said he is concerned the federal government would move terror suspects from the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba to Thomson. When the plan for a federal takeover was first announced nearly three years ago, the Obama Administration readily acknowledged that the prison would be used to house terrorism suspects, but has since backed away from that plan. Additionally, federal law now prohibits such a move.
Meanwhile, the governor has also embarked on his own effort to shutter a number of state prisons, which is at the core of a dispute between his office and the Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union. In fact, AFSCME is currently suing to block Gov. Quinn’s plans to shut down the correctional facilities.
According to the union’s complaint, the Governor wants to shutter seven state prisons, including the super-maximum-security prison near Tamms and a women’s prison in Dwight. The union is also suing to keep open adult transition centers in Decatur, Carbondale and Chicago and youth prisons in Joliet and Murphysboro.
The union’s suit states, “Many of the inmates that will be moved are those who have been intentionally segregated in the correctional system because of the danger they pose to guards and to other inmates. Almost a thousand maximum security female inmates will be moved, and several hundred maximum security youth will be moved as well. The insertion of these inmates into the overcrowded prisons of the state will inevitably foment unrest that will put employees, other inmates and the general community at risk.”
Many are also concerned by the apparently eased security measures for transferred Tamms prisoners highlighted in a new report from the Associated Press. News reports reveal that the state's corrections department is modifying its rules for handling the state's most dangerous prisoners.
As the state shuts down the Tamms super-maximum security prison and transfers prisoners to the Pontiac Correctional Center, the AP reports that procedures for handling the prisoners have been eased, despite earlier pledges to lawmakers that no changes in procedures or policies would take place when the prisoners are transferred.
According to the Associated Press, "...the rules now in place mean fewer officers and fewer chains on inmates when they're out of their cells..."
In addition, because of the additional inmates from Tamms, some prisoners previously in isolation at Pontiac are being moved into cells with other prisoners.
While the changes within the state’s correctional system continue to prompt concern, changes at McCormick Place in Chicago are receiving applause from trade show organizers and participants, the City of Chicago and state leaders. The reforms that eased stringent labor rules at the facility have helped secure ongoing commitments from two of the country’s largest and most prestigious trade shows.
The National Restaurant Association and Hotel-Motel Show has signed up for another five years at the convention center, and is expected to produce more than $600 million each year in direct expenditures. Additionally, 1,650 union members will be put to work annually as a result of the extension.
The City of Chicago was also ecstatic to lock-in a two-year commitment from the International Manufacturing Technology Show, which is projected to bring in direct spending topping $346 million and employ 2,000 union positions.
The conventions have been long-time McCormick Place mainstays, with the restaurant show coming to Chicago annually for 63 years, and the technology manufacturing show taking place in the city every two years for the last 65 years.
President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, Dawn Sweeney, noted that recent bipartisan legislation to ease stringent and costly labor rules at McCormick Place secured the organization’s decision to stay in Chicago.
“Chicago is much more exhibitor-friendly, more hassle-free and more cost-effective as a convention trade-show destination,” said Sweeney during a news conference.
In 2010, the Legislature passed bipartisan legislation to ease stringent labor rules at McPier after high labor costs encouraged several conventions to leave Illinois for more cost-effective locations. However, legal challenges placed the 2010 labor changes in jeopardy.
In response, lawmakers, the Governor and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel worked with labor unions to negotiate a compromise settlement that satisfied the legal concerns surrounding the work rules. On Oct. 21, 2011 it was announced that an agreement on labor rules at McCormick Place had been reached with the Teamsters and carpenters labor unions, and during the Fall 2011 Veto Session final reforms to work rules at Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center and exhibition facility (McPier) were approved and quickly signed into law.
The work rule changes have reinforced McCormick Place as a competitive option in the convention circuit, stacking up against the other well-known convention towns of Orlando, Las Vegas and Atlanta. As an economic engine for Chicago and the state, the trade shows create local jobs and bring in tourism dollars and sales tax revenues. In fact, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel noted the conventions at McCormick Place are responsible for an estimated 85,000 jobs in the area.
The promised economic growth and guaranteed jobs will come in handy if a new study by the nonpartisan research group, State Budget Solutions, is any indication. According to the group, years of massive overspending and borrowing by Illinois’ Democrat leaders means dire financial consequences for the people they were elected to serve. Illinois now has $271 billion worth of total state debt, which will cost $21,607 from every Illinois citizen to pay off.
The report, which examined the debt accumulated by all 50 states, says Illinois has the fifth highest debt-per-person and the fourth highest total debt, behind only a handful of other budget-busting states like California and New York. Altogether, the 50 states have racked up a combined debt of $4.19 trillion, which is a quarter of the $16 trillion national debt accumulated by the federal government.
State Budget Solutions points to rising pension liabilities as the driving force behind Illinois’ surging debt. Here in the Land of Lincoln, pension liabilities now amounts to 70 percent of the total debt, or about $192 billion according to the group.
On Friday, October 5, Sen. Sandack participated in the 7th Annual Nurses Legislative Forum at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. While there, Sen. Sandack spoke with the hospital’s nurses and associates and also received a flu shot. Other legislators that participated include Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), Rep. Darlene Senger (R-Naperville), and Rep. Patti Bellock (R-Westmont).
Next Wednesday, October 10, Sen. Sandack will be participating in a luncheon panel on pension reform. The event, hosted by the Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will also feature Former Speaker of the House Lee Daniels, Executive Director of IMRF Louis Kosiba, and businessman and government watchdog Adam Andrzejewski. People are encouraged to submit questions they would like answered during the panel to bpeterson@downersgrove.org. To find out more information or to register for the event, visit www.downersgrove.org, or call 630-968-4050.
Dan F.
10:17 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
http://www.senategop.state.il.us/
Plagiarist, liar, will not explain why he sided with Mike Madigan and the Democrats on the casino vote and the DREAM Act. This is the kind of politician Springfield wants in Springfield
Lee
11:37 am on Saturday, October 13, 2012
Barry Peckhart (aka "Dan F."), Paul Cappetta (aka "Paul C." and literally 100 other online monikers beginning in 2007) both worked tirelessly and mostly disingenuously, for Ron Sandack's primary opponent Debbie Boyle. Their candidate lost but their bitterness goes on and on ... and on. Every single article or posting about Sandack offers these deep thinkers more opportunities to dispense with their incessant nastiness.
Give it a rest already.
Becky
11:16 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Dan Keep on exposing Sandack for the fraud that he is, the public needs to know the facts about this guy
Lee
11:40 am on Saturday, October 13, 2012
Becky - The public knows what kind of man Ron Sandack is which is why he was overwhelmingly elected as mayor of Downers Grove and why (running an honest campaign) he was elected as our representative for the 81st district.
PAUL C.
9:04 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Becky and Dan F., you are spot-on on this flip flop artist. He'll never answer Dan on the casino and gaming vote. Mr.Transparent...yeah right!
Lee
11:41 am on Saturday, October 13, 2012
Paul C - For a guy who took the time to dress up in anti-Sandack attire and yell and scream at his family during the Independence Day parade, you should consider recusing yourself from commenting on his posts. Real class act bro.
PAUL C.
5:17 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
Ha Ha you duck the Gaming question Lee! Please don't lie about me yelling at Ron which is totally untrue. Nothing personal, I just asked him where the casino would be built? He did check off in January that he was anti-expansion gaming and he did vote for the expansion of gaming in late May....http://www.illinoisfamilyaction.org/?p=590
Ron the Transparent Senator has refused to answer WHY he changed his position and voted with several other flip flop senators (all Republican) for gaming. Lee, Ron has repeatedly said that we need to hold our representatives accountable. Several of us (not just me) have pressed Senator Sandack for answers and he has ignored us! The Illinois Family Action has called him on the carpet repeatedly.
I am glad to see you wish to quiet me and others. I would not expect less of little yes-men like yourself. I call what I see and this Senator again has flip flopped for his friends from Penn Gaming, Inc. It's exactly as we predicted during the election. Special interest groups donating to the Sandack campaign would be getting favors returned.
PAUL C.
5:20 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
Good to see you are alive also Lee! Done celebrating the narrrow victory and now defending Senator Sandacks flip flop.http://www.illinoisfamilyaction.org/?p=590
PAUL C.
5:34 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
http://www.illinoisfamilyaction.org/?p=590 Click on to this everyone to see Transparency! He didn't talk much about this in his weekly postings.
PAUL C.
6:29 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
One last thing. I have been commenting on this since June (right after he made his Senate vote) and Senator Sandack has not responded. All I want is an answer for this flip-flop vote. A posting on the Patch, an email (he has my email) or even an old fashioned mailed letter. I am a registered voter in the 81st district and he will be my state rep since he is running unchallenged so I think I deserve an answer because he did say in his position papers that he was anti-gaming. The fact that he feels he doesn't have to answer this question makes me think that he is above the voters. If Senator Sandack wishes to be transparent and give myself and others an answer, we'll accept it and move on from this issue. When the Illinois Family Action calls you on the carpet, you'd think an answer would have been given. This is not a personal thing. If Dillard was my Senator and did similiar things, I'd call him on the carpet also and that goes for Christine Radogno whom will be my new senator come November. No State Senator or State Rep should ever ignore tax paying voters no matter whom they voted for!
Lee
8:24 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
Hi Paul, I'm not here defending a vote... You've lied and demagogued Sen Sandack at every turn possible. You lied about his affiliations with unions. You lied about his tax record. You lied about his past votes you didn't agree with. And now you just lied about harassing him and his family during the Independence Day parade. I was there. I saw you dressed in your anti-Sandack shirt and heard you yelling at him while he was walking with his family. If you'd like I can get dozens (literally) of other eye witnesses to corroborate my account on this forum...
My point... You wouldn't be satisfied if he did answer your question. Any answer would be spun into more of your lies, half-truths and further demagogued. I know genuine folks who disagree with Senator Sandack engage him often and he's always willing to explain votes/issues ad nauseum... Genuine being the operative word there Paul.
Your objective is to continue on with your childless antics and further besmirch a good man, not merely get an answer on one vote...
surrounded by liars
9:44 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
Lee,
I agree. Paul may not be satisfied if he did get an answer from Senator Sandack. I, however, would be highly satisfied if he just came out and said, "My vote was purchased so now let's move onto to the next bidder". Frankly, you trying to make Ron seem like someone who is near and dear to the citizens of this town is laughable. He won by a landslide because many people thought and still do think that Brian "fired" volunteers. They have NO IDEA what went on behind closed doors and what the real situation was. That is neither here nor there. I, for one, and disgusted that we no longer have the bike race and heritage fest in this town. Those were two great draws but were discontinued under Ron's tenure. I have witnessed many meetings when Ron was mayor and his eye rolling and smirks are not indicative of a "good" man. Very Joe Bidenesque if you need a comparison. You can take a look at all the contributions made to ANY politician and instantly see a vote or two that were bought. So let's call a spade a spade and move on. I have resigned myself to the FACT that this town/county/state/country is being run by a bunch of SELF SERVING liars and egotists who are hell bent on destroying our way of life bit by bit. Until you and everyone else for that matter can accept that FACT, you will continue to snipe at each other like teen girls going through their menstrual cycles!!
Lee
11:21 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
SBL - Heritage Fest and the US Cycling Championships were tough cuts made during the economic downturn to help keep the DG budget sound. Since then, the Rotary Club has filled the void of the Heritage Fest which speaks to private citizens stepping in to fill the void local government could not. Indeed, these necessary cuts were highly unpopular but instead of commending such bold action to help solve a problem, you castigate the man.
I witnessed first hand the kind of campaign Senator Sandack ran both for the mayor of Downers Grove and for 81st State Representative and I'm proud to have been a part of them. Contrast that to his opponents campaigns and is it any wonder they keep losing?
Regarding the gambling vote, I notice you give deference to aspects of government that function "behind closed doors" when it suits your narrative. We know he voted for the gambling expansion. Think about giving some deference here too as maybe you may "have NO IDEA what went on behind closed doors and what the real situation was." For what it's worth, I'm for the gambling expansion, not as an increased revenue source for the Dems in Springfield, rather if the market in Illinois dictates it, citizens should be able to spend their money however they see fit as long as it doesn't infringe on the liberty of others.
There's a lot of truth to your last 2 sentences...
PAUL C.
6:24 am on Monday, October 15, 2012
Ok Lee you have defended the Senator. Now just admit he was bought exactly like any other politician that he said during the great "TIME FOR CHANGE" mayorial campaign of 2007, he would NOT be like. Is not answering a tax paying resident either on a forum like the Patch or with a private email a sign of a lack of TRANSPARENCY? I at least like surrounded by liars states have called the Senator out exactly like the Senator said "we" should during both his mayorial and state representative races. October 31st will be five months that Senator Ron Sandack flip flopped and voted for gaming. I and others will continue to post on this issue and any other issues we feel fit. We also be watching our new Senator Christine Radogno come November. One other thing, no elected person is above being scrutinized by the people he or she serves. This is America and I and others across this great land have the right to question the decisons our elected officials make everyday. I am not and will never be a blind follower of any individual because they are my neighbor or friend. I have a mind of my own and do my own research. Senator Sandack thought nobody would catch this flip flop vote he made. He didn't know that I and others subscribe to Illinois Family Action and Illinois Review and keep an eye on the senate and state rep votes made by him and others in the state. We do and will continue you to in the future to monitor our district closely.
Have a good day Lee!
surrounded by liars
8:25 am on Monday, October 15, 2012
Lee,
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Senator Sandack sold his vote. In January he was OPPOSED to the gaming. Just a mere Four plus months later he is for it?? What could have happened behind closed doors besides the signing of a check from Penn Gaming??
Lee
3:18 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
Please see below. Senator Sandack did not sell his vote. This is a lie.
Lee
2:43 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
Sandacks response BEFORE the gamling vote to the Daily Herald:
Q. How, specifically, would you cut the budget? What does Illinois need to do to fix its status as a "deadbeat state?" How will you vote on future gambling bills? What is your view of slots at racetracks? Casino expansion?
A. The Senate Republicans laid out a plan to cut the budget and roll back the tax increase, Illinois Reality Check, which can be viewed at:
http://illinoisrealitycheck.com/theplan/
I fully support the specific cuts detailed in this plan. This includes reducing redundancies in government, from eliminating the Lieutenant Governor position and combining the State Treasurer’s and Comptroller’s offices to reducing the number of local units of government in Illinois (we have more units of local government than any other state in the nation). On gambling, I voted against the recent gaming bills as they were too expansive, but I would be open to considering a Chicago casino and slots at racetracks, provided both were in strict compliance with existing rules by the Illinois gaming authority.
Lee
2:45 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
...BUT I WOULD BE OPEN TO CONSIDERING A CHICAGO CASINO AND SLOTS AT RACETRACKS...
Lee
3:14 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
Sandack's response AFTER the LAST gambling vote...
http://senatorsandack.com/Portals/0/12%20Sandack%20EOS%20newsletter%20FINAL.pdf
Page 2, bottom left...
By the way Paul C, this was sent to ALL voters in the 21st district via traditional mail so either you and Peckhart didn't take the time to read it or you read it and are ignoring it. For you to suggest Senator Sandack hasn't responded is another flat out lie.
Finally, Penn Gaming is a current license holder of one of the Riverboats in Illinois. They are adamantly AGAINST gambling expansion. Surprise, they don't want competition and are not up to obtain ANY new licenses. So Sandack's vote "for" expansion stands in contrast to your efforts to suggest he took some payoff for his vote to benefit Penn Gaming. Another lie...
In summation, he voted twice against bills he viewed as huge and unmanageable expansions and voted "for" the toned down version instead of another tax on all taypayers which, if you read the Illinois Reality Check plan, was the only option offered by Dems for additional revneue.
Feel free to disagree, but quit with your lies and half-truths. You said you deserved an answer, now you have it. If you continue on this path of lying, I think the only thing you'll deserve in the future is to be fitted for a straight jacket. Again, I know you were not seeking a truthful answer and will continue the spin this as you normally do, but at least those keeping track will know better.
PAUL C.
3:35 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
Oppose means oppose! You can spin all you want Lee. I have never received anything from Senator Sandack on email, traditional mail or pony express. When Illinois Family Action calls out a group of senators, I would think they'd have good reason! http://www.illinoisfamilyaction.org/?p=590 Also the Illinois Review exposed him and they were big endorsers of his State Rep run.http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2012/06/sandacks-curious-gambling-position-flip.html Do I need a link from Attorney General, Lisa Madigan? Both of these notable supporters of the Senator have used the word Flip-flop in their articles. Come on Lee be real!
Lee
3:59 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
Hi Paul C. No spin. I laid out the FACTS above. You don't like them I get it. I read the article. That is an opinion.
Regarding the questionnaire:
...BUT I WOULD BE OPEN TO CONSIDERING A CHICAGO CASINO AND SLOTS AT RACETRACKS...
I would take someone's detailed explanation over a checked box any day but I certainly understand you'd rather not as that suits your narrative better.
As I mentioned above. I know you have not been interested in the facts or getting an answer. I've saved this page as evidence both have been presented.
PAUL C.
3:36 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2012/06/sandacks-curious-gambling-position-flip.html ...here's the Illinois Review article!
Tom Cawthorne
4:13 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
That survey was filled out in January. The vote was in June. Senator Sandack's explanation back in June shows that he put a lot of thought into his decision. Also, the Illinois Review article cites that DGgab malarky. Penn Gaming already is a licensed provider of slots in the state and also OPPOSES gambling expansion because expansion would compete with its current holdings. There is no tit-for-tat with that Penn Gaming donation.
Lee
4:42 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
Thomas - They don't care about the FACTS. They would rather lie which is what they did all campaign. Sad really.
Tom Cawthorne
4:07 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
I am whole heartedly supportive of Senator Sandack's support of the gambling expansion bill. It will save MANY jobs. The Illinois Horseman's Association said that it needed bigger purses in order for the horse racing industry to survive in Illinois. The addition of gaming screens at other tracks throughout the country have proven to be successful. I applaud Senator Sandack for keeping an open mind. It's not like he approved a slot machine at every corner of every street. It only adds 4 casinos and helps the race tracks.
PAUL C.
4:52 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
Flip-Flop is what it is and it seems you both don't care. Stand by your man no matter what is your operating mode! You can applaude and stan on your head Lee but I and others still deserve an answer stating WHY from Senator Sandack who actually stated in the past that WE should call out our represenatives! He said he'd be transparent and I and others are waiting. It is good to see you two yes-men are still alive and breathing. We've only been posting on this issue since June right after he made his flip flop vote. I strongly urge everyone to ignore the Illinois Family Action and Illinois Review and listen to Thomas Cawthorne and Lee. They are just a bunch of liars that Debbie Boyle hired...lol
PAUL C.
5:05 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
Furthermore, I don't have a problem with SOME added gaming in venues like racetracks. I do have a problem when a senator states a position and then flip flops from that position and refuses to give me a tax paying, voting resident a reason for his change of heart. Do I want casino gambling on Ogden? Absolutely not! The main issue here for me is TRANSPARENCY and Senator Sandack fails to give reasons for his sudden change of heart. Have some ethics and answer myself and others Ron on why all of a sudden (4 mos later) after stating you were absolutely AGAINST gaming, you now are hailed as the champion of gaming. Furthermore, Lee and Thomas I could care less about your defense of the senator's flip flop! I and others demand and want an answer from your man, Senator Sandack. We will keep asking him for an answer answer even after he becomes State Representative Sandack in December. He can answer this question for himself. We know that he is the king of twitter!
Lee
5:30 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
Hi Paul. Please visit his web site as his stance has been up there since the vote and was included in the mailer I reference above. I think any reasonable person would consider this matter answered and over but I do understand you think differently. As far as Senator Sandack reaching out to you directly, I wouldn't hold your breath as you've proven yourself to be a bitter soul who lies to gain attention.
Dan F.
6:17 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
"Sen. Sandack had voted against gaming expansions on two previous occasions and was originally against this measure. However, after careful consideration, Sen. Sandack said he supported the measure after it had been dramatically amended."
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GAID=11&GA=97&DocNum=1849&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=84&LegID=57922&SpecSess=&Session=#actions
LIE #1 is he never voted against SB 1849. Sandack voted FOR SB 1849 before any amendments and changes were made, right away, first vote.
LIE #2 is he says he kept voting against it until radical changes were made. Sandack voted FOR both amendments that EXPANDED the scope of the bill.
Sandack's misleading self-promotional flyer and website, printed at taxpayer expense, makes it sound like he was voting against it over and over when in fact, according to his own voting record, he kept voting FOR it as it got bigger, more expensive, added more pork and opportunity for corruption of process and oversight.
We all missed that famous Sandack boot-licking, Lee and Thomas Cawthorne. Welcome back!
PS Lee please post that list of who bought and paid for Teamster Ron again. It will make it easier to figure out his votes, in the future.
Lee
7:16 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
Barry Peckhart aka Dan F...
SB744 was the previous bill he voted against twice (2010, 2011) which I reference above.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=744&GAID=11&DocTypeID=SB&LegId=55573&SessionID=84&GA=97
SB1849 had less new positions than SB744, no Springfield "racino" at the State Fairgrounds, and requires the Chicago license to comport with the IL Gaming Authority. In summation, it was far less expansive of gaming as SB744, which passed both chambers (but was not submitted to the Governor).
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GAID=11&GA=97&DocNum=1849&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=84&LegID=57922&SpecSess=&Session=#actions
Confronted with the FACTS, I'm sure you'll lie again...
As far as boot licking, I support the Senator as I know him to be a good man. Contrast that to you who spreads lies and misinformation and has to use an alias because he's known as a joke in our town and it all makes sense...
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-03-19/news/0503190128_1_e-mails-profane-attack
Lee
7:52 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
In case you needed to have it link to the vote itself:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/97/senate/09700SB0744_05312011_013000C.pdf
PAUL C.
8:40 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Bla bla bla....answer the question WHY?
Lee
9:31 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
I did above. Here it is again.
"In summation, he voted twice against bills he viewed as huge and unmanageable expansions and voted "for" the toned down version instead of another tax on all taypayers which, if you read the Illinois Reality Check plan, was the only option offered by Dems for additional revneue."
PAUL C.
8:44 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The Senator needs to answer and it would be nice before he isn't a senator and that's at the end of next month! But I know Senator Sandack (aka Transparency) will not answer the question. Maybe he can tweet the answer! We know he is an expert at that.
Lee
9:31 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Please see above...
PAUL C.
8:45 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Lee, Good men make bad decisions everyday in politics!
Lee
9:33 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Fair enough. Then accept his decision and move on. I get you disagree and view it otherwise.
PAUL C.
10:12 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
I am waiting for the senator to answer. He has my email and I believe my cell phone #. I'd even meet with him to discuss this issue. It's more about lying then it is about gaming, Lee. I want to hear from him (not you) exactly WHY he flip flopped! So don't respond to me any further. The senator owes ME an explanation. I vote, pay taxes and have 2 children going to school in the district he'll be representing as a state senator. Stop protecting him, he can contact me and we can have a civil conversation. It's probably time that we met because our children will be together for at least 5 more years between Herrick and DGN.
PAUL C.
10:13 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
correct as a state representative.
Pierce Downers
2:33 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
March, 2005
"I am done with politics," Peckhart said, "End of story!"
He did not explain his reasons for dropping out. He recently found himself under fire for sending out bulk e-mails containing profane humor to fellow members of the Downers Grove Men's Club, a non-profit, part-time philanthropic organization
Pierce Downers
2:56 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
So Dynamic Tea Party Duo, since Raccoon Eyes (purely a term of endearment) lost in the primary, are you now advocating that voters choose the Democrat Party's candidate instead of the Republican Party's candidate?
PAUL C.
3:25 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
If you are addresing me, you should know Senator Sandack (aka Transparency) is running unapposed.
Lee
3:46 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012
Penn Gaming is AGAINST increased gaming??? Noooo.
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20121022/news/710229788/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
PAUL C.
4:16 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012
Read the article closely.
PAUL C.
4:18 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012
A review of campaign finance records shows Arlington Park has given $82,047 to state-level candidates since lawmakers finished their session in June. Track officials want lawmakers to override a veto from Gov. Pat Quinn before the middle of January that would allow the racetrack to have up to 1,200 slot machines.
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Bluhm family donations
Arlington Park donations
Penn National Gaming donations On the other side, casino company Penn National Gaming has donated $91,500 over the same time period. The company owns the Hollywood Casino in Aurora and one of the two casinos in Joliet.
Penn National would rather the veto stick, ending for now the prospect of five new, competing casinos that also are included in the gambling bill.