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News, commentary and humor about bicycling and other topics of the day

 

Gov. Blagojevich arrested

Unfortunately, it's politics as usual in Illinois.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested today on charges of conspiring to get financial benefits through his authority to appoint a U.S. senator to fill the vacancy left by Barack Obama's election as president.

According to a federal criminal complaint, Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired, The Associated Press reported.

A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democratic governor was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.

Blagojevich joins a long line of Illinois governors who have faced criminal charges, according to a list posted at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Otto Kerner, governor, 1961-1968. After he left office and became a federal judge, Kerner was convicted on counts of bribery, conspiracy, perjury and related charges. When he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Kerner was released early from prison. He died in 1976.

William Stratton, governor, 1953-1961. Indicted on charges of violating income tax laws. The charges concerned the abuse and spending of campaign fund contributions. Stratton was acquitted in 1965.

Dan Walker, governor, 1973-1977. Convicted in 1987, Walker served 17 months for obtaining illegal loans used to finance a chain of quick oil change franchises for personal gain. The loans also funded the operation of an 80-foot yacht, the Governor's Lady. Walker was head of the thrift that provided the loans.

George Ryan, governor 1993-2003: Convicted of political corruption in 2006 for using his office as governor and earlier as secretary of state to enrich himself and his friends at taxpayer expense. He is currently serving a 6 1/2 year sentence.

Sadly, I'm not surprised by the Blagojevich charges. The way politics is carried out in this state makes it rather tempting to take place in wrongdoing, plus Blagojevich's performance in office has been erratic, to put it nicely. He's thumbed his nose frequently at downstate taxpayers, and the most symbolic example of that is his decision to commute back and forth from Chicago to Springfield, the state capital, instead of staying in the Governor's Mansion in Springfield.

As for his record on cycling issues, he signed bills requiring motorists to give 3 feet of space while passing cyclists and allowing cyclists to use their right arms to signal turns. He also approved millions of dollars for bicycle trails.

On the other hand, he attempted to use his line-item veto powers to gut the state's Complete Streets plan, a move that was overwhelmingly rejected by the General Assembly.

Labels: Illinois, politics

Roger 1 comments links to this post 11:20 AM

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Own a piece of history — and an example of my handiwork!

The Belleville News-Democrat, like an overwhelming number of U.S. newspapers, sold out Wednesday because of the election of the junior senator from the great state of Illinois, Barack Obama, as president of these United States.

In response to that, the News-Democrat is selling commemorative items to mark the historic election.

You can download the Nov. 5 edition of the News-Democrat, including the historic front page reporting Obama's win, by going to the News-Democrat E-Edition. For $1.50, you can download the entire Nov. 5 edition, but that offer is only available through Tuesday, Nov. 11.

You can purchase a commemorative item showing the front page of the paper reporting Obama's win by going to The BND Store. Posters, sweatshirts, polo shirts, baseball jerseys, bags, cups, even beer steins are available — for prices as low at $11.99, and each item will show the front page reporting Obama's historic election.

In case you haven't figured it out, I designed the front page of that particular edition. While a lot of papers went with big, impressive poster fronts, which you can view at Newseum's front page archive from Nov. 5, we decided to put other stories on our front page that were important to our readers in addition to the big news about Obama. I was happy with the page.

And in case you're wondering, no, I do not get a commission if you buy one of those nifty commemorative items!

Labels: Belleville, newspapers, politics

Roger 0 comments links to this post 2:28 PM

Friday, June 13, 2008

Campaigning by bicycle

Scott Hays is running for a District 1 seat on the Champaign County (Ill.) Board, and he's campaigning by bicycle -- and kayak and foot.

"In an effort to really get to know all of District 1, I have set a goal to cross District 1 by many different routes and in many different ways," Hays says on his Web site. "This includes by bicycle, by kayak, on foot and any other means. .... If you see me, say hi! I'll be the guy in the yellow hat (or black bike helmet) and purple Hays for 1 t-shirt. Better yet, anyone is welcome to join me for any of my treks."

Hays and fellow candidate Eric Thorsland are leading a 32-mile trek through northwestern Champaign County on Saturday to highlight cycling issues in the county.

"Rural Champaign County, particularly District 1, is increasingly recognized by cycling enthusiasts as a beautiful and exciting place to ride," Hays says. "But with rising fuel prices, many people will also want to consider cycling as a regular alternative to driving. Many current county roads are inadequate if not dangerous when shared by cyclists, cars, trucks and farm equipment. I support the creation of increased cycling trails and designated cycling routes to meet this need. Where possible, I support the conversation of rail corridors to cycling trails."

In addition to biking, Hays also frequently kayaks the Sangamon River in that part of the county.

Barack Obama's much-ballyhooed helmeted bicycle ride this past Sunday has me wondering whether cycling and other "green" issues will have an impact on this year's political races. I guess we'll find out in November.

Labels: advocacy, Illinois, politics

Roger 3 comments links to this post 2:16 PM

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Obama "breaking away" in Indiana

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama decided to bask in the glow of this weekend's Little 500 bicycle race at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind.

The Associated Press reported that Obama, the junior U.S. senator from Illinois, "waded into Bill Armstrong Stadium on Friday and was greeted by a colorful array of spandex and a raucous student body. The race announcer credited him with bringing the good weather."

Obama climbed to the receiving stand and waved, but he made no remarks, AP reported. He then walked along the edge of the track as students and race participants strained to shake his hand or take his picture. Obama then watched the 32-team, 100-lap women's race.

The Little 500 continues today with the men's race, which was immortalized in the 1979 film "Breaking Away." For those of you who haven't seen the film, do so. It's a classic coming-of-age movie involving four Bloomington friends who wind up racing the Little 500 as the "Cutters," named after the people who worked at limestone quarries surrounding the southern Indiana city.

The Bloomington area also is known as being the home of the Hilly Hundred, one of the Midwest's best bicycle events.

Labels: Indiana, movies, politics

Roger 0 comments links to this post 2:14 AM