Illinois reform panel unveils anti-corruption plan

Illinois reform panel unveils anti-corruption plan

CHICAGO (AP) - The Illinois reform commission launched in response to the corruption scandal surrounding ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich (blah-GOY'-uh-vich) has unveiled a sweeping blueprint for change that includes limits on campaign contributions.

Illinois is one of the few states with no campaign financing limits. The tentative proposal announced Tuesday would cap individual campaign contributions at $2,400 and those from committees at $5,000.

The commission also proposes insulating procurement officials from politics and toughening the state Freedom of Information Act.

Chairman Patrick M. Collins said releasing the still tentative blueprint now is timely because an indictment against Blagojevich on corruption charges could be coming soon. Federal prosecutors have until Thursday to obtain an indictment or seek an extension.

too little - too late

Former Daley thorn hopes to take tenacity to Senate
John Kass
January 10, 2010

Political corruption is finally a real issue in this corrupt state, because it's led Illinois to financial ruin and now almost every candidate running for something has an anti-corruption message.

Some promise transparency. Others vow to serve only one term. A few candidates -- particularly the smooth, buttoned-down consummate political insiders -- have declared themselves to be complete outsiders and expect voters to believe it.

There is one candidate who not only talks about corruption. He has actually done something about it, but he's not getting much ink.

David Hoffman, running for the U.S. Senate in the Democratic primary, is the former federal prosecutor who investigated sleaze as the city's inspector general, until he committed a series of cardinal sins as far as Mayor Richard Daley was concerned.

The sins? He did his job.

"The culture of corruption runs throughout Chicago's history, one hand washing the other," said Hoffman in an interview last week. "It's not about serving the public. But it is all about maintaining and controlling power."

Hoffman, 42, is a wiry, little guy. But he was captain of the rugby team at Yale. Clearly, he's tough and feisty, which served him well at the University of Chicago Law School, then at the U.S. attorney's office and at City Hall.

Whether he'll make a good U.S. senator is up to you. Still, when it comes to corruption, he knows what he's talking about.

The presumptive front-runner is Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, a well-funded friend of President Barack Obama. But Hoffman perceives weakness there. He's going after Giannoulias' tenure as an official in the Giannoulias family Broadway Bank, and the bank's dealings with convicted influence peddler Tony Rezko.

Rezko is scheduled to testify at former Gov. Dead Meat's corruption trial in June, before the general election. Rezko bounced a series of six-figure checks at Broadway Bank that he made out to casinos. The bank has come under fire for loans to convicted bookies and others. The national Republican Party will focus on these if Giannoulias wins the primary, Hoffman argues.

"If I or you bounced a four-figure check or a five-figure check, as Tony Rezko did, my guess is our banks would say we are not interested in your business," Hoffman said. "I've been saying it, and I'm going to continue to say it. It's fair to scrutinize the record. I'm happy to have my record scrutinized. Everyone should."

Also in the Democratic field is Cheryle Jackson, president of the Chicago Urban League and former aide to Dead Meat.

Hoffman angered Daley by issuing a scathing critique of the mayor's outrageously costly parking meter deal. Hoffman's investigations of illegal political patronage also embarrassed City Hall.

But what really frosted Daley was when Hoffman wired up a building inspector and later called in his fed colleagues at 219 S. Dearborn. If the feds ever focus on how city occupancy permits are granted to clout-heavy nightclubs, they might find a treasure trove, a never-ending pinata party with subpoenas instead of candy.

Hoffman also investigated that city pension fund deal involving the mayor's nephew, who received almost $70 million in investments, a deal the mayor said he knew nothing about. City Hall refused to honor subpoenas, so Hoffman again turned things over to federal prosecutors.

If you plan on parking in Chicago any time in the next 75 years, remember the parking rates were increased again last week and will keep going up in the years ahead.

"It was a dubious financial deal," said Hoffman. "Everybody parks on the streets, everybody uses the streets, and there was no public discussion. It makes people feel as if something was imposed upon them from on high."

Like Daley's office?

"I think that's a fair description of what happened."

Last week, mayoral chief of staff Paul Volpe became the fall guy and was dismissed.

Though I understand he's campaigning for the Senate, I just had to ask Hoffman one last question:

When are you going to run for mayor of Chicago?

"I'm plan on winning on Feb. 2," Hoffman said, laughing.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/c...2754881.column