Today’s news: Is anyone in Springfield listening? Hello? Is this mic on …
Today’s links are via the Journal Star:
- Congressman Ray has surrendered the green to Aaron Schock. That means all three of the GOPers who are seeking the party nomination to replace LaHood have now received a $2,000 donation from LaHood’s own campaign fund. For those who didn’t know (I think it was one of the worst-kept secrets in this campaign so far) there were rumors swirling that LaHood was going to endorse one of the three: Schock, Jim McConoughey or John Morris. And the rumor was that it was NOT going to be Schock. Didn’t happen though. And now the generally accepted wisdom is that he won’t endorse anyone in the primary.
- Get convicted of killing a guy. Appeal the sentence. Get convicted again. Get a longer sentence. Question: Can a guy appeal his decision to appeal? Seriously, the article presents some interesting legal issues. No doubt there will be another appeal.
- Mayor Ardis is calling up the heavy artillery in the fight against crime. It’s not a city-wide camera system, but rumor has it this guy sees everything.
- Did anyone else get the idea from this article that Sen. Dale Risinger just isn’t listening to what the City of Peoria is trying to tell him? Instead of him telling the city council what the priorities are, perhaps he ought to let the city council (who voters elected to run the city, not him) set those priorities.
- I found the some of the stuff at the bottom of the article on the city’s meeting with state legislators more interesting the possibility of state funding for the anti-crime initiative. The quality of life in Peoria will be greatly enhances by fixes to the traffic light system AND by any help the state can provide to force property owners to keep their buildings up to code.
- The Associated Press did a survey and discovered, to the shock of just about everyone, that state government is massive, resists change and no one knows exactly where all the money goes.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
I am really p’od now!! I contributed to the campaign of Ray LaHood and now find he has given some of my money, meant for his use in running, has been given to three people running for his job, none of whom do I like or will vote for. He has also given some of money (and yours too), to organizations I have no use for, and would never contribute to their causes. Why do politicians do this? The money is meant for their campaigns, not others. If they choose not to run, then give the money back, or to a neutral organization that no one can complain about giving to.
A LaHood possible endorsement was the only reed McConaughy was standing on. McConaughy can’t keep getting deeper into debt to loan money to his campaign to keep it afloat. He isn’t worth nearly what he leads people to believe with his basic net worth barely over a million. Can’t loan a quarter of his net worth to the campaign. So he is done. He won’t be able to air ads to the end of the primary campaign. Impending implosion. The Emperor has no clothes!
Just because LaHood doesn’t officially endorse someone doesn’t mean he can’t work behind the scenes to try to drum up contributors for one particular candidate. Not saying he will; just saying it’s possible.
Burt,
People who have no idea what they’re talking about end up eventually looking ridiculous. “The Emporer has no clothes” is more appropriate for your post than your topic.
Amazing that a candidate you find with such little chance to win merits your time and energy on this board. Hmmmm…….
C.J., you may be on to something there….