Local legislators were disappointed former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was found guilty on only one of 24 corruption counts Aug. 17.
"I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed because this is going to continue to embarrass the people of Illinois and as long as this continues to stay in the news, it's going to impact and hurt Illinois," State Sen. Dan Duffy, R-26th, said.
Blagojevich was found guilty of giving a false statement to federal agents. The jury was hung on the other 23 counts.
Only being found guilty on one count surprised Duffy. "It was shocking. I think the prosecution didn't state their case in a clear, logical fashion, otherwise he would have been convicted on every count," Duffy said.
"I don't know how it will affect the November election, but I do know that it's going to affect Illinois. It's going to affect our reputation. We're going to continue to be the late night punch line for TV programs nationwide," Duffy said.
State Rep. Suzie Bassi, R-54th, was also disheartened by the trial's outcome. "I think disappointed is not a strong enough word at the result of the Blagojevich trial," Bassi said.
Bassi has no problem with a retrial.
"What he's done to the state of Illinois is unconscionable. He ought to be paying for it substantially more than what this trial ended up," she said.
Only time will tell whether it will affect the November election.
"I think it might. I think there are some concerns from what I'm reading anyway in the paper and on the news channels that the Democratic party is concerned all the way around.
"Having lived through the Ryan era as well, it definitely affected the Republican party when Ryan ended up in jail. I think the same could very well happen with the Democrats particularly since they were in power and allowed it to happen," Bassi said.
Senator Dan Duffy kicks off a new season of "Talk 2 Me Tuesday's!"
Barrington,
Illinois—From August 31st through the end of the year,
Senator Duffy (R-Lake Barrington) will be available every Tuesday from 12 noon
to 3 p.m. - NO appointment necessary. Just drop by his office at
330 E. Main Street,
Barrington and let Senator Duffy know
what's important to you.
“Talk 2 me Tuesday's was a
big hit last year and I am doing it again", said Duffy. "I work for
the people and this is a great way to receive feedback from them."
If Senator Duffy is out of
town, a legislative assistant will be available to meet with constituents.
After the new legislative
session reconvenes in January 2011, Senator Duffy will continue his policy of
meeting anyone who would like to see him; however, an appointment will be
required to make sure he is in town. Simply email Senator Duffy at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or call the office 847-277-7100 to set up an appointment.
Duffy public meeting to give insight into legislative process and workings of Springfield
Barrington,
Illinois—Have you
ever wondered, “What really goes on in
Springfield?”
State Sen. Dan Duffy (R-Lake Barrington) will be hosting a public meeting for
anyone interested in learning more about the legislative process in
Springfield.
The Springfield 101 Town Hall meeting will take place
Tuesday, August 31 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Prairie Grove Village Hall
located at
3125 Barreville
Road,
Prairie Grove,
IL60012.
Senator Duffy will be addressing topics such as, how
your input can become a law, factors that keep good legislation from becoming
good law and the reasons why it is difficult to bring meaningful reform to
Springfield.
Senator Duffy will give an update of the issues that
are most important to the future success of
Illinois, including the budget, pension
system and education reform.
What: Springfield 101 Town Hall meeting hosted by Sen. Duffy
When: Tuesday, August 31 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Prairie Grove Village Hall,
3125 Barreville Road,
Prairie Grove,
IL60012
For further information
about the event contact Sen. Duffy’s office at 847-277-7100.
WOODSTOCK – More than 150 businesspeople and community leaders turned out
Friday morning at Woodstock North High School to hear legislative views on the
state of the economy.
What they got was a riled-up revival, courtesy of state Sen. Dan Duffy
(R-Barrington) and U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Egan).
“My focus has always been to encourage job growth, fight corruption and lower
taxes,” Duffy said at the annual McHenry County Economic Development Corp.’s
legislative breakfast. “Even after everything that’s going with the [former Gov.
Rod] Blagojevich trial, northing has changed. We need to continue the fight. We
need to continue speaking out.”
“We cannot restore the economy by simply throwing money at it and printing
money that doesn’t exist,” Manzullo said to a round of applause. “Get off the
backs of American manufacturers and small businesses and let them create the
jobs.”
Duffy and Manzullo were joined by state Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry),
state Rep. Mark Beaubien (R-Wauconda), and U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean
(D-Barrington). Each got a chance to make opening remarks before answering a
pair of questions submitted ahead of time by EDC members.
The primary focus on the state level was pension reform and spending.
Beaubien and Duffy took turns calling for immediate reform, with Althoff adding
that there’s “no doubt the state’s current pension system needs to be
revised.”
Duffy said the reforms needed to include raising the retirement age, capping
pensions at $100,000, and removing the ability for one person to have more than
one state pension – an idea that got strong applause from the crowd.
Duffy to host Springfield 101 Town Hall meeting in Libertyville
Barrington, Illinois—Do you find yourself asking, “What really goes on in Springfield?” State Sen. Dan Duffy (R-Lake Barrington) will be hosting a public town hall meeting for anyone interested in learning more about the legislative process in Springfield.
The Springfield 101 Town Hall meeting will take place Wednesday, August 25 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Libertyville Fire Department located at 1551 N. Milwaukee Ave. Libertyville, IL 60048.
Senator Duffy will be addressing topics such as, how an idea becomes a law, what can stop a good bill from becoming a good law and why it is hard to pass meaningful reform in Springfield.
Senator Duffy will give an update of Illinois’ budget situation as well as updates on the pension system and education reform.
What: Springfield 101 Town Hall meeting hosted by Sen. Duffy
When: Wednesday, August 25 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Libertyville Fire Department, 1551 N. Milwaukee Ave. Libertyville, IL 60048.
