NO SUCH DOCUMENT EXISTS! IL Governor - Sparta funds

Cant make this up. Informants give the information I print it out.

When the IL governor's office was questioned about the exitence of a document that released the funding to operate the WSRC and hire a new executive director the following message was received:

Please be advised that no "copy of the governor's order to release funding to operate the Sparta WSRC and hire a new director exists."

If you guys see "IT tech Doc" on the streets put a quarter in cup.

Merlo out.

 

This is confusing. From username Flagarto:
From what I was told today.. Sparta is about to re-open and resume shooting events.

 

​

 

The State of Illinois besides being the only 24/7 shooting range is also one of the Greatest Magical Shows on Earth ... They do more with nothing than anyone could possibly imagine , smoke and mirrors , negotiations, lease agreements, hire this one, fire that one , get some dancing girls , put in more traps they are expecting a big crowd this year, who ordered the fish, Museum, "what museum" , get new hats and order a presidential gun, toilet paper, any body order toilet paper .? Now, the Governor goes and says there is no funding ..?, what the ..???? WPT ... (YAC) ...
"FANASSTASTIC" ...

 

If there is no funding to open the World Shooting and Recreational Complex for shooting events, then one must assume that before approaching the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the ATA had first formulated a listing of estimated expenses and determined that our Association could afford to lease the WSRC for the Grand American tournament.

Our Executive Committee must have determined their plan to lease the WSRC was affordable or they would never have taken the next step which was the initiation of discussions with the IDNR in order to obtain an agreement for future negotiations, as provided by the "Memorandum of Understanding, (MOU)" as announced on January 15th.

So, last month, I asked a friend of mine who has been a State Delegate for over 10 years if the ATA had shared with Delegates, a listing of estimated expenses and total cost of leasing the WSRC. He did not know and had not received any information. I asked if he thought any of the Board of Directors (State/Provincial Delegates) might think it was an important enough question to ask our leadership before April 15th? Shouldn't the BOD, who's duty it is to oversee the effective operation of our organization, debate and vote on important matters, and provide direction and protection to the ATA - know this information prior to granting funds to lease the Sparta facility? I think they should.

Well, my friend did contact President Morris, asking for a listing of anticipated expenses to lease the WSRC. He said President Morris' response was that neither he nor any other member of the Executive Committee would do anything to bring harm to the ATA. So, my friend, a member of the ATA Board of Directors, still does not know anything more than he did prior to communicating with our ATA President.

In my view, if Delegates are not asking these questions and a lot more, they are failing in the duties of their office. Will they ever learn that the authority for all decisions regarding the ATA is granted solely by the Board of Directors. All decisions made by our Executive Committee, both good and bad, are made because they were granted advance permission to do so by the Board of Directors. Therefore, responsibility for all praise and blame rests with those we elect during our State and Provincial annual meetings. And we members must assume some blame ourselves for our choice of Delegates and our lack of concern.

If there are any Delegates who subscribe to this Forum, I beg you to start asking questions about the proposed leasing of the WSRC. Do not except an answer from our Executive Committee that they cannot discuss the matter. You have both the authority and duty to understand the expense (itemized and total) of leasing the WSRC prior to the signing of any agreement to do so.

 

Don't forget the number that I said would be on the test.

Ron Burdick

 

HB,
That is and has been the problem for a considerable length of time, the BOD does not question the agenda or any of the EC's actions ... The EC is like a run away train and they do anything they want, when they want because none of the BOD got the stones to stop them or question them ... If the EC, ED and or some of the BOD had to pay a price for their lacking of good sense it would be different but they are covered by the way the ATA is structured and there is little to no recourse from the Members ... I had one of the BOD get on me because he didn't like some of the things I was saying, I told him if the shoe fits wear it and have never heard from him again (figure the shoe must of fit) ... The ATA is a CASH COW for the EC, ED, and some of the BOD, problem is you don't know who is who or what is who anymore ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

I got that number tucked away from Ron's test, have no doubt its close ...

 

To continue what HistoryBuff was saying, I have always felt that our Delegates could fix many, many, MANY of the problems the ATA has by simply removing the authority of the EC to act on behalf of the B.O.D. when the Board is not in session. In our modern electronic/communication world the entire B.O.D. can be contacted in a matter of minutes. Why delegate authority to just 5 individuals?

 

HB
How much money can the EC spend without permission of the BOD?

 

I understand your position and agree that when any Executive Committee becomes complacent in their duty to keep the BOD informed on major decisions, our Delegates should and must demand a full accounting of the matter at hand and if that accounting is not provided . . . . call a convention and diminish or even remove the E. C. of their power. Yes, the BOD could fix many of the problems and even if one feels there is no problem, they should care enough to demand to be informed of important decisions.

I hear you but, having been an elected Delegate and member of the BOD I can tell you that few Delegates feel they have the knowledge and power to challenge those who have been Delegates for years and are serving as Zone V.P.'s or the ATA President. It took me a couple years just to learn what was going on and gain confidence necessary to try to be a worthy member. Heck, you should have seen me as State Delegate my first year at the Grand American. If I hadn't been Alternate for a couple years and attended the Zone and Annual meets with my State Delegate, I wouldn't have had any idea who to report to in the ATA office to obtain my paperwork. Heck, I didn't even know I was entitled to a Delegate's shirt and hat. I thought I was an OK Delegate, paid attention to the discussions, took great notes of all meetings and voted in the best interests of our sport. Now in thinking back, I don't believe I was such a good Delegate because I trusted our leadership but failed to verify my trust even when I thought something did not feel right. I'm somewhat ashamed today, because I believe I failed in my duties in the early 2000 years.

A new Delegate's handbook should be created with a "Mission Statement" in bold letters on the first page, mandating their duty to the Association, reminding them of their responsibilities to serve and protect the ATA and stay informed; and that the E. C. and E. D. may only conduct business approved by the BOD. Apathy by ATA members and/or members of the Board of Directors does not serve the ATA well and allows our association to be controlled by the minority instead of the majority. That's when mistakes and/or abuses become most prevalent.

 

I honestly do not know. I'll look at the Constitution and By-Laws to see if there is a number but any of our current Delegates should know the figure and post it.

I know there is a $$ figure which limits the Executive Committee in purchasing real property but I'm certain it has been increased over the years. Which bodes the question : Why would any E. C. want to spend a significant amount of the Associations' money without counsultation with the BOD? And, why would any BOD grant such authority? I tend to agree with Don Cogan's post below :

 

There is no doubt a learning process, but there are many Delegates who give blanket authority to the EC and their agenda who are not new ... I agree totally with the idea of a hand book for the Delegates to read and read over and over until they do understand what and who they are supposed to represent ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

I sometimes wonder if the ATA EC & BOD's live on the same planet the membership does... The whole thing reeks of what Obama does... Makes his own executive decisions no matter what the parties and voters want. Substitute the word "Obama" with the word "ATA" and substitute the words "Evecutive decisions" with the words "Your needs don't matter" and by golly I think we have it.....

 

If you wish hard enough and ignore whats being said and what is not being said anything can be made a reality, at least in a person mind ... Here "Pull my finger" and see if that helps ... The Governor has not addressed the possibility of re opening the WSRC , its never been on his list of priorities or any list for that matter with the essentials that are needed for education, medical, section 8 housing , lottery etc ... The IDNR hopes to negotiate (tentatively, possibly, probably, more than likely, maybe ) with the ATA and has agreed (MOU) only to negotiate in good faith with the ATA if they do not open the facility by 04-15-16 so arrangements can be made or not made to host the grand at the State owned WSRC in Sparta, Ill ... The State obviously is not going to be responsible or liable for any or all cost (exempted) related to re opening the facility so that burden would fall directly on the renter, or who ever leases the facility on a short or even a long term lease ... If the ATA is going to be involved they should solicit Co Sponsors, donations, get pre payments, and break down any and all cost, those cost to be forwarded and applied to any one who plans on attending (payable in advance) ... This could and might possibly end up being a monumental shoot of shoots if by chance it ends up being the last ever known grand American at the facility ... That has not been determined as of yet but neither has it been assured ( for sure) that the 2016 grand will take place or into the future other than by the word of the ATA EC, ED and some of the BOD , which we have all learned is not totally accurate at best ... The IDNR promised nothing other than to negotiate in good faith with the ATA on the distributed video as well as the MOU's that were handed out at same ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

I guess if I were a Delegate, and read the answer from the President like Morris sent out, I would probably feel "What the Hell" ! No sense in going any further, he isn't going to answer me and I guess he doesn't feel he has to.

Must be the $$ figure for real property is over $250,000.00...This is the ATA share of the Museum they put up, and gave to Illinois.

Mabe they consider this "Pocket Change"

 

The dollar threshold for EC real property acquisitions or improvements is $50,000.

 

Bat,
Where did you get that information, so it can be verified ..? There is already to much smoke and mirror stuff going on ... You can make it easy on me if you would rather than my having to go and find it ... ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Is leasing a piece of property considered an acquisition? If so then a lease costing more than 50k would be cause for a vote of the BOD?

 

If the BOD would have to approve, then that would not be done until AUG. The EC has, at least as written full authority between BOD sessions.

BOD POWERS:

 

Is it legal for the BOD to vote to eliminate their own duties?

 

Thank you, asked and answered ... That's a lot of petty cash ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Honestly, by state law the BOD never gives up the Authority as the BOD can call a special meeting anytime. Though in the ATA bylaws it appears they gave away that power, though I don't think it is a power that can be given away. It resides within the statutes, I believe.

 

WPT, sorry, didn't see your question till now and looks like it was already answered for you.

 

On form 990 page 6 that you guys have posted on the site you can see question 1.a

Enter the amount of voting members of the governing body, or if the governing body designated broad authority to an executive committee please explain in schedule O. answer 57

There is no statement of broad powers given to the EC on schedule O. jmho

 

Reading this would give someone the impression that the EC, ED cannot dedicate (spend) more than $50,000 to opening (rental or lease agreement ) the WSRC for the grand American without a vote of the Board of Directors ... I seriously doubt $50,000 will get it done even with major donations to sweeten the pot based on standard daily costs of operation ... I am reading this correctly am I not ..? That spells trouble (TROUBLE) ... Thats still a lot of Petty Cash to have laying around for coffee and donuts ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

I have a question for those of you who have the knowledge. If the ATA would rent the WSC, an Illinois state park, to run an event, The Grand, would they have to have union labor doing the work on the grounds as if the state was still running the show. I'm thinking they would because the WSC is still owned by the state, so therefor state employees would be the ones doing the work.

 

Ken,
I don't think the State was running the show in the first place, they had the camping and keeping the place running ... The ATA has taken over the camping based on the new applications and information they posted on shootata.com ... The State is under contract with the Unions, if any State Park is open and operating they will have organized labor on site ... The State of Illinois has employed Union workers for ever, don't see that changing any time soon ... The ATA is not big enough to bust the Unions, hell the State can't do it because there is strength in numbers, so that will be interesting when they see the tab for that ... If the Park (WSRC) were to close completely they would move people around based on seniority ... I would not advise anyone to break a picket line if it would come down to that, hope it don't but you never know, you know ..? I can only base my opinion on my being a Teamster for over 20 years ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

I would think as far as renting goes it would be for the right to hold the grand and it's related business within the parks borders. Kind of like renting a shelter at your local park for a family picnic. You don't have to hire state employees to cook and cleanup after you're done.

As far as the State employees and the unions go wouldn't that just be for the maintenance and minor repairs of the State owned grounds.

 

Think about that Leonidas, they are not going to cook, clean, and wipe your butt, depending on their contract and how it reads the State will tentatively, probably, possibly, more than likely be obligated to have employees on the grounds for maintenance and as you say minor repairs ... The State of Illinois state parks have Union labor to perform what ever is covered by their contract ... The WSRC has been closed to shooting but there are still people on site because the park is considered open to the public ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Think about it wpt, people were wondering if the ATA had to deal with or pay union employees. I say not because of the reason I gave.

No need for your type of comments on any little thing that is said.

 

I would think if the WSC was rented the main care for the facility would be the state. Like renting a building the building owner is responsible for the upkeep of said building and that cost is figured in the rental rate. So if the ATA would rent the WSC they would have to pay the rental rate and that rate would include the union workers needed for the daily operations of the WSC.

 

Ken,
Would probably have to be a net, net, net rental/ short term lease where the renter agrees to pay all related cost (prorated) ... Water, Electric sewer, garbage , Insurance, work comp, targets, labor, etc ... The State of Illinois is in dire straights when it comes to financial's and debt (12.6 Billion) so they would have to exempt them self from any and all related expenses so they do not continue to look like fools in the eyes of the voters (residents) when its all said and done ... The facility has amassed and added over $23 million dollars to the deficit of an already upside down state ... The Democrats (Blago) pushed for the facility thinking it was going to be a gold mine based on what they were told and led to believe or they probably would not of gotten involved ... Politics as usual in the State of Corruption (Illinois) , you can bet the blame will fall on the Republicans some how, some way, that's for sure and they voted against it ... I would love to see the waivers , Bonds, liability and hold harmless clauses the State of Illinois includes and hope all involved read them and take all of them into consideration before accepting any agreements at any price ... Personally, I feel all cost should be passed onto the attendees and not absorbed by the general membership in any way associated to the ATA , no doubt you will get conflicting comments on that ... I have never seen where there was any guarantee that there would be a grand American Championship in over 40 years of being a member, maybe its time to let reality sink in and move on ... Prepare for the future and forget about the past ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

Note to Leonidas, your wrong ... They are not renting a place for a picnic or a family outing for the day , it's a facility ... If you do not like what I say (type) do not read it, makes it simple which you obviously know a lot about ... If you think someone is not going to pay the people who maintain the place , your dead wrong and that someone will be the renter ... Why should or would the State be responsible in any way ..? Does not make any sense ...

 

I want to open a bar/restaurant, does anyone know where there is one available short term ( 3 /4 months) with all the beer, booze, food, bartenders, waitress's, electric, water, garbage, sewer, insurance, people to maintain it and keep it clean at no cost to me other than the monthly rent ..? If anyone does, let me know and I'll take it if the rent is reasonable or even unreasonable if all inclusive ... Why should I pay for all of those people if they are working for the people I am going to be renting from already ..? (Leonardis, logic) ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

No.

 

Legal definition of "real property"


real property
n. 1) all land, structures, firmly attached and integrated equipment (such as light fixtures or a well pump), anything growing on the land, and all "interests" in the property, which may include the right to future ownership (remainder), right to occupy for a period of time.
____________________________________________________________

Looks like the BOD has to vote for more than $50,000.

Realistically tho..... which delegate even asked if the $2,100,000 HOF building they built was going to be owned by the State of Illinois?

Please write down the name of the delegate that cares.

 

And it's all in the rent, no extra cost. How much simpler does it get? LOL

 

What do you think it would take? About 50K a day to control the use of the whole facility?

 

Leonidas

Would coolers of water and ice be extra? Extra for porta potties?

 

Here is the lease agreement with the Scholastic Shooting Sports foundation...

I could not believe the things that group had to pay for on top of the $3,000.00 per event...

Water jugs filled at $4.50 each, etc., etc., etc., probably by Union workers of the State.

Here is just a brief rundown on only the Trap Shooting page:


I am no wizard at figuring all of this lease out, but it would appear to me the IDNR was using State labor for this.

Anybody else figure any of this lease differently ?

 

I kinda figured that anytime you get involved with the state and the state has union labor now you have union labor. There is no getting around it.
When I shot in Hawaii some years ago The Big Island Gun Club was owned by the county and the help was all county paid employees. Was not very affordable labor. I'm all for a fair wage but setting on a bench marking loss or hit is not rocket science and should not be paid as such.

 

I would imagine the short term rental or lease agreement would be similar to the agreement with SSSF ( posted above) ... The renter or lessee is responsible for everything but the air that they breath ( must of forgot to include that) ... I cannot imagine what the cost of an all inclusive rental or short term lease could amount to but its going to be a bunch and a bag of chips ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

UPDATED
Illinois' budget deficit twice as bad as you thinkComments Print

GREG HINZ ON POLITICS

Illinois Supreme Court University of Illinois Bruce Rauner Laurence Msall Rod Blagojevich More +

Photo by APWith Illinois facing deepening deficits, Bruce Rauner in his Jan. 12 inaugural address suggested that sacrifices will be required, but offered no specifics.
Illinois' fiscal woes are significantly deeper and more serious than generally realized, with the state facing a $9 billion operating deficit in the fiscal year that begins July 1.

That's the horrific bottom line of a report released late today by researchers at the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs, a study that may raise the eyebrows even of Gov. Bruce Rauner, who has been warning of huge financial problems ahead.

The conclusion: The actual deficit is about twice what is commonly reported, with the hole in the current fiscal 2015 budget not $2 billion to $3 billion but $6 billion, and rising to a projected $9 billion in fiscal 2016 and hitting $14 billion by fiscal 2026, assuming no changes in law or spending practices. (Read the report below.)

The report says the fiscal hole is so big that even fully reversing the income tax cut that took effect Jan. 1 would close "only about half" the gap projected for the next several years. Starting this year, the individual income tax rate went from 5 percent to 3.75 percent, and the corporate levy from 9.5 percent to 7.75 percent.

'MASSIVE IMBALANCE'

The hole is so big that even growing the state's economy an extra 0.5 percent a year for a decade would have "only a modest" impact, the report warns. And, significantly, so large that trying to eliminate the shortfall by cuts alone would result in a 20 percent reduction in spending on public education, Medicaid, public safety and more.

"Years of pay-later budgeting has resulted in a massive imbalance between sustainable revenue and spending," said Richard Dye, co-director of the institute's Fiscal Future Project, which produced the report. "Like a person in deep credit-card debt, the state has been spending more than it can afford, and is covering the gap by issuing IOUs."

Top Springfield players are not yet commenting on the report, which is gently titled "Apocalypse Now." But I expect an awful lot of chatter now that it's been formally issued.

'ACCOUNTING GIMMICKS'

The report's general conclusions drew immediate backing from Laurence Msall, president of the Chicago-based Civic Federation, a watchdog group that has been issuing similar warnings.

While the federation has not reviewed the report and doesn't necessarily ascribe to all of the institute's methodology, the conclusions "are in keeping with our feeling that the deficit is a lot larger than has been reported," Msall told me. For many years now, Springfield officials "have been using accounting gimmicks," he said, and the true underlying deficit numbers are "very large."

In its report, the center looked not at what is reported in the state's budget but at overall state spending and accrued expenses, comparing that combined figure to actual income.

To get to the $6 billion figure for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, Dye said researchers started with the agreed-upon $2 billion to $3 billion hole (half of which was caused by the income-tax cut) and added other forms of running up debt and otherwise kicking the financial can down the road.

Included in round terms are $1 billion in annual debt service for pension obligation bonds issued by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, $600 million in borrowing and a $650 million "one-time" shift of money from special-purpose state accounts to shore up the operating or general funds, $237 million in supplemental spending approved after the budget was enacted and $470 million for programs that were authorized but not fully funded.

PENDING COURT PENSION RULING

Those holes will continue in fiscal 2016, which starts July 1, Dye said, even as the state loses another $4 billion from a full year of income-tax cuts and even as routine spending needs to rise perhaps another $1 billion. Ergo, a $9 billion hole, with the state potentially getting way behind again on payment of bills. The state owed $6.5 billion as of Dec. 31, but that backlog could rise quickly.

The hole will be even deeper if, as many expect, the Illinois Supreme Court tosses out a pension reform law designed to cut taxpayer expenses by $1 billion or more a year. The state's four major pension funds now have an unfunded liability of at least $111.18 billion.

If anything, the projected deficits are conservative, the report says, noting that it assumes spending over the next decade will rise only 3.2 percent a year, below the average annual 4.7 percent since 1997.

Rauner, echoing the position of many newbie governors, has strongly suggested in recent weeks that state finances are in worse shape than he even expected.

If the institute study is accurate, he is right. He hasn't yet said what he'll do, other than suggesting that "shared sacrifice" will be needed.

Update, 11:15 a.m., Jan. 20 —

The institute now tells me that the report assumes the new pension plan pending before the state's high court will not pass muster. If it is approved, the projected fiscal 2016 deficit would be $1 billion to $1.5 billion less, Dye tells me—in other words “only” $7.5 billion to $8 billion.

Neither the Rauner folks nor House Speaker Michael Madigan is commenting on the report. I'm awaiting some reaction from others, but you can bet it's been widely read.

12 p.m. update:

Some reaction to the report is in, and it’s not very encouraging for your pocketbook.

Says a spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton in a statement: “The IGPA analysis is disappointing but not surprising. The state was making progress toward paying down old bills while providing resources for education and other costs, but we still must address the structural deficit. We look forward to hearing Gov. Rauner’s ideas during his budget presentation Feb. 18.”

Says a Rauner spokesman in an email: “Gov. Rauner has been saying for a long time that the budget is far worse than has been let on. Gov. Quinn left the state in dire financial shape. It is clear that we need to restructure state government. . . .Failure to enact fundamental reforms would cause the taxpayers to throw good money after bad and that can’t happen.”



FF report: ''Apocalypse Now'';

WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

March 18, 2016
RICH MILLER ON SPRINGFIELD
Rauner learns the hard way: You can't defeat 'a god'Comments Print
By RICH MILLER
Bruce Rauner John Shimkus Michael Madigan Government and Politics Elections State Government More +

Photo by Frankieleon via Flickr
"He was a god in that district," a high-level Rauner guy told me about state Sen. Sam McCann's poll numbers from before this year's Republican primary campaign began.

Benchmark polling taken months ago showed McCann, R-Plainview, had a voter approval rating of about 70 percent. McCann "really was everywhere" in the district, attending events all over the place throughout his tenure, the Rauner official admitted.

Looking at those initial numbers, "you'd have to be crazy" to take McCann on, the official said. But the governor had threatened to punish any Republican who voted with AFSCME on a now infamous bill which barred a state employee strike and instead forced binding arbitration. McCann was the only Republican to vote against Rauner, so a massive game plan was devised.



What followed was the most expensive Republican legislative primary race in the history of Illinois. In the past, the million dollars or so raised and spent by and on behalf of McCann would've dropped jaws everywhere. But McCann's $1 million was less than a quarter of the race's $4.2 million grand total.

Even so, McCann defeated his Rauner-backed opponent Bryce Benton by more than 5 points.

Aside from the fact that beating any incumbent who starts off beloved by 7 in 10 voters is almost impossible, some folks think McCann's opposition actually spent too much money. They claim that after the first $1 million, the rest was all white noise and may have prompted voters to start wondering just what in the heck was going on.

McCann never directly rebutted the allegations from the other side's dogged research into his mileage reimbursements or his personal financial problems and claimed but nonexistent military service, but he did have an answer for voters who wondered why their television screens were filled to the brim with anti-McCann ads: "Chicago."

"I'm being attacked because I did what was right for this district," McCann said in what became a ubiquitous TV ad at the same time a "Chicago PAC spends $1.5 million against McCann" headline flashed across the screen. The ad started airing weeks before the total climbed to more than double that amount.

Benton, McCann's opponent, never really established himself with voters as a hometown guy. That lack of biographical information probably bolstered McCann's "Chicago" claim.


Sam McCann
The "Chicago" attack worked in another race, Team Rauner admits. They used it themselves to beat back state Sen. Kyle McCarter's GOP congressional bid against U.S Rep. John Shimkus. McCarter didn't have more than a few dollars, so most voters had no idea who he was. Shimkus' campaign defined him as a Chicago-loving guy. Shimkus never polled above 55 percent, but he wound up with 60.

Raunerite fingers are also angrily pointing at the "regulars" in the Sangamon County Republican Party who stuck with McCann to the end. McCann actually lost Sangamon by a few votes, but they say he would've lost by more if the party leaders had stuck with Rauner.

The reasons those party folks stood with McCann are twofold: 1) He'd built up a lot of goodwill and 2) Thousands of unionized state employees in the county are reliable Republican voters.

"If McCann loses, it won't be due to a lack of volunteers on election day," a union staffer texted me the morning of election day. "I'm not kidding when I say I've never seen a campaign have to adapt because of so many volunteers," he texted a few hours later.

Those Springfield-area state workers have their own informal but vast communications network. They talk politics with coworkers, and then they bring informed opinions to their homes and their social circles. It worked two years ago when they thumped Bruce Rauner in Sangamon County, and it worked again this time when they helped carry McCann across the finish line.

The question now becomes how the Republicans retool their message for November. The McCann primary had been expected to be a preview of what's to come. Unprecedented money from Rauner, charges that an incumbent is House Speaker Michael Madigan's "favorite" legislator and brutally unflinching opposition research. But, just like McCann, most targeted Democrats have built up enormous local goodwill over the years.

Rauner and Proft's money and effort won numerous primary races around Illinois this year where the opponents were little-known and relatively lightly funded. Those often hapless opponents could be defined almost at will. But, like with McCann, Rauner's top targeted House Democratic incumbents won't be so easy to redefine.


WPT ... (YAC) ... And the beat goes on and on and on ...

 

Governor of Illinois
Governor of Illinois

Seal of Illinois

Incumbent
Bruce Rauner
since January 12, 2015
Residence Illinois Executive Mansion
Term length Four years, no term limits
Inaugural holder Shadrach Bond
Formation October 2, 1818
Salary $177,412 (2015)[1]^α
Website www.illinois.gov/gov/
The Governor of Illinois is the chief executive of the State of Illinois and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. It is a directly elected position, votes being cast by popular suffrage of residents of the state. The governor is responsible for enacting laws passed by the Illinois General Assembly. Illinois is one of 14 states with no gubernatorial term-limit. The current governor is RepublicanBruce Rauner.





Contents

• Qualifications
• Residences and offices
• Corruption
  • Acquitted
  • Convicted
• See also
• References
• Notes
• External links

QualificationsEdit
The term of office of Governor of Illinois is four years, and there is no limit on the number of terms a governor may serve. Inauguration takes place on the second Monday in January following a gubernatorial election. A single term ends four years later. A governor is required to be:

• at least twenty-five years old
• a United States citizen
• a resident of Illinois for three years prior to election

Residences and officesEdit
The Governor of Illinois resides in the Illinois Executive Mansion at 410 East Jackson in Springfield. Its first occupant was Governor Joel Aldrich Matteson. He took residence at the mansion in 1855. It is one of three oldest governor's residences in continuous use in the United States.

The governor is also given the use of an official residence on the state fair grounds, also located in Springfield. Governors have traditionally used this residence part of the year.

However, some governors, such as Rod Blagojevich, have chosen to not use the governor's homes as their primary residence, instead commuting either by car or plane to Springfield from their home cities.[2] Many Chicago-based governors also have done much of their business out of the governor's office in Chicago's James R. Thompson Center, an office building owned by the state named for former governor James R. Thompson (1977-1991) Illinois' longest serving governor.


CorruptionEdit
See also: Rod Blagojevich corruption charges and George Ryan § Scandals, trial, and conviction
Six Illinois governors have been charged with crimes during or after their governorships; four were convicted, and of those, one (Blagojevich) was the first to be impeached and removed from office.

AcquittedEdit

• Len Small (R), governor from 1921 to 1929, was indicted in office for corruption. He was acquitted; thereafter, eight of the jurors received state jobs. Among his defense lawyers was a former governor, Joseph W. Fifer, who asserted in pre-trial hearings, that the governorship has the divine right of kings.[3]
• William G. Stratton (R), governor from 1953 to 1961, was acquitted of tax evasion in 1965.[4]

ConvictedEdit

• Otto Kerner, Jr. (D), governor from 1961 to 1968; Stratton's successor and later a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, was convicted of 17 counts of bribery, conspiracy, perjury, and income-tax charges from his time as governor,[5] and received three years in prison and a $50,000 fine in 1973. He was prosecuted by future Illinois governor Jim Thompson.[5]

• Daniel Walker (D), governor from 1973 to 1977, was later involved in the savings and loan scandals and convicted of federal crimes related to fraudulent loans to himself from his own First American Savings & Loan Association of Oak Brook. He was sentenced to seven years in prison with five years of probation following his release.[6]

• George Ryan (R), governor from 1999 to 2003, was convicted in 2006 of corruption related to his time as Illinois Secretary of State in the 1990s, when commercial driver's licenses were issued to unqualified truckers in exchange for bribes, and one of the truckers was involved in a crash that killed six children. Former governor Jim Thompson, whom Ryan had served under as Lieutenant Governor of Illinois in the 1980s, was manager of the law firm that defended Ryan.[7] Ryan was released in 2013.

• Rod Blagojevich (D), governor from 2003 to 2009, and Ryan's successor, was impeached and removed from office by theIllinois General Assembly in a unanimous vote in January 2009 after being tied to multiple "pay to play" schemes, including attempting to sell the former Senate seat of recently elected President Barack Obama.[8] In August 2010, he was convicted of lying to the FBI in connection with the investigation, but the jury deadlocked on 23 other charges.[9] Blagojevich was retried on 20 counts from his 2010 trial and on June 27, 2011, Blagojevich was convicted on 17 counts of fraud, acquitted on one count and the jury was hung on two. On December 7, 2011, Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

See also


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