|
The
hub of all this bad press is centered in our state's capital,
Springfield.
The
first story is about the conclusions by the Illinois Supreme Court
that public bodies do not have to meet in public. Although contrary to
the state constitution, the court has ruled that only the newly
created ethics commission responsible for delving into questions of
impropriety among members of the General Assembly needs to have open
hearings. The other six ethics commissions responsible for the
governor and other statewide high officials need not be subject to
public scrutiny. The question, of course, is why not.
The
commissions were established last year to limit gifts as well as
financial remunerations from lobbyists to heads of state government.
The Supreme Court is now telling us that what the commissions are
told, suspect or find out to be valid grievances against public
officeholders is now none of our business. The Supreme Court has not
explained how these newly organized bureaucracies will be able to help
acquit parties found to be not guilty of charges against their good
names if the information is not made public. They also haven't
explained how the public will be made aware of governmental leaders
who are found to be in violation of the law. Will they all just keep
it a secret? Will we someday all just walk around Illinois wondering
whatever happened to so-and-so. One day they were in power in this
state; today they are gone.
The
Illinois Supreme Court has made an error in their ruling. Time and a
federal court will show their decision contradicts our constitution.
The
phrase "public service" is wearing thin with me. How about
you? The second bit of uncomplimentary press is Gov. Ryan’s huge
salary increases to his highly appointed best friends. The governor
this year, as he did last year, has made his decision to give 12
percent increases to his appointees on the basis that he wants to keep
their salaries in line with the private sector. That claim, of course,
is valid unless these politicians really meant the phrase "public
service" when they became involved in the state political
process.
Although
not a fan of our governor, I will begrudge him one point. I am certain
with his connections he could and would earn a great deal more money
in the private sector than he does as governor. Ryan has stated on
innumerable occasions that he is interested in helping make Illinois a
better state. I don't believe the man, but at least his viewpoint is
fairly close to the concept of being a public servant. I have to ask
the governor, why then does he feel the need to let his appointees off
the political hook.
[to top of second
column]
|
Of
course these people could earn more in the private sector. Just look
at what Reagan earned after he left office. Start counting President
Clinton's gold mine now that his presidency is over. I have to ask the
governor, if these people are so dedicated to "public
service," they must realize that they will not earn as much as
they might in the real world. That is part and parcel of being in the
hierarchy of the democratic process in this country. Representatives
and leaders are supposed to be dedicated to the common good, not to
keeping up with the Joneses.
With
all of these appointees well into the six-figure salaries along with
the many spiffs their offices hold, it isn't likely we will find them
in the breadline soon.
The
third story around the state is concerning our own Sen. Peter
Fitzgerald again bucking the political machine. Fitzgerald, a
personally wealthy man, seems to have somehow decided to represent his
constituents rather than himself once again. His actions in refusing
to sign a bipartisan wish list sent to new President Bush has caused
Fitzgerald another black eye in the war known as the federal
legislature. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) is upset that
Fitzgerald would not endorse the all-encompassing goodies list that
the Illinois delegation wanted to slip under President Bush's pillow.
Fitzgerald isn't against addressing many of the needs this delegation
has asked for presidential assistance on. He is against encompassing
noteworthy projects along with pet projects that his office has stated
created a "mega-hog letter." This system of slipping the
questionable into important bills is not new to Washington. Every day
a bill to assist the building of roads or increase school financial
aid has an addendum requesting a few million more for something that
is beyond any benefit to taxpayers.
It
seems that Fitzgerald is taking his role as "public servant"
seriously. Let's hope the Supreme Court of Illinois doesn't have a
chance to rule on his decision.
[Mike Fak]
Click
here to comment on this article.
|
