I'm not sure what's the best way to put this post together...but I'll start with Emil Jones, Illinois State Senate President and one of Barack Obama's mentors. Jones is "jonesing" for pay raise for Illinois legislators. In May, in jest I believe, the South Side Chicago Democrat dismissed an attempt to block the pay raise, by saying, "I've got to get me some food stamps."The Illinois House rejected the pay raise in three months ago, but unless the State Senate makes a move tomorrow to block the increase, the pay hikes will go in effect that day.
Pat Quinn, the sole state constitutional officer who does not live in Chicago, is the lieutenant governor. The Oak Park Democrat was on Chicago's North Side protesting the proposed pay raises outside a building where his boss, Governor Rod Blagojevich, was giving a speech--he was introduced by Emil Jones.
Blagojevich, also a Democrat, says he opposes the pay raises.
At the speech, "Blago" was given a coffee mug...the governor responded, "Better a mug than a mug shot, right?"
Blagojevich is widely believed to be under federal investigation for his alleged role in "pay to play" schemes involving his jailed friend, Antoin "Tony" Rezko.
Oh...I almost forgot...someone from Illinois is running for president.
UPDATE August 13: The pay raise is dead. Does this mean Emil Jones will go on food stamps?
Related posts:
29 days and counting--Gov. Blagojevich still hasn't returned his Rezko cash
Obama meets with Dem govs in Chicago--Blagojevich downstate
Questions for Obama about Gov. Blagojevich
Great orator Obama silent on Illinois Rezko fallout
Impeachment talk about Gov. Blagojevich continues
Obama's state legislative record--he got a lot of help
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Emil Jones
5 comments:
This is something I'd like to see in the state constitution. The Lt. Gov. should become once again the presiding officer of the state senate. Now that should prevent the need for the presiding officer of the senate to ask for some pay raises.
And "Pres." Jones ought to let the Garrett/Kotowski bill rejecting the pay raise come to a vote but he's too much of a @#$%!* to do it.
SJR is reporting Jones will now allow a vote.
"Better a mug than a mug shot" He actually said that?!?!?!?!
It gets better. He called himself Sen. Jones' homeboy and the first black Governor of Illinois.
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