McHenry County Blog

The second trial of disgraced ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich is but an echo of the first.

Who cares the second time around?

in mid-December, 2009, there was a spoof on Saturday Night Live. Before the actor took the stage, there was a photo of a grim Blagojevich with the word "Arrested" under it.

It’s not front page news.

No Saturday Night Live skits about his hair and swear words.

“If Illinois politicians think you are too corrupt, you’re too corrupt,”

said Seth in December of 2008.

This past week there was another echo.

A bill passed that would prohibit state officials from putting their names on things. It was sponsored by State Rep. Chris Nybo (R-Elmhurst). Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) originated the legislation.

The target was the signs over Illinois toll collection booths.

When Blagojevich was impeached, Tollway officials did not even give Pat Quinn the opportunity for the photo op he undoubtedly desired.

Quinn did follow the example of his role model, Governor Dan Walker, for whom he was a ghost employee in the Department of Local Government Affairs.

The sign Governor Rod Blagojeich had erected over Illinois toll booths.

When the Department of Transportation changed the entry signs to the State of Illinois to remove Blagojevich’s name, Quinn followed Walker’s excellent example.

"Welcome to Illinois" sign with Governor Rod Blagojevich's name.

The current "Welcome to Illinois" sign does not have Governor Pat Quinn's name.

He left his name off.

Way back in 1973, I was so impressed this newly-elected Republican sent the newly-elected Democrat a letter of praise.

Quinn deserves similar praise.

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin had not figured it out Friday when he said the Illinois Supreme Court decision wasn’t good enough.

But it looks as if he and the other all-white Senate Democrat delegation have now.

They have been Blagojeviched.

Maybe Saturday Night Live’s ridicule of white Senate Democrats, plus maybe some more pressure from President-Elect Barack Obama did the trick.

On SNL, Burris was seen hoping to help the Senate follow the example of Utah by seating him.

For those who have not lived in Utah, as I did for three years in junior high school in the mid-1950′s, there were not a lot of non-white faces when I lived there. Actually, I don’t remember any.

When I moved there, Mormons were not even allowed to join the church.

Now, there must be a very low percentage of African-Americans for SNL to use it as an example of what the Senate looks like.

Today, Burris was on TV reading a statement. Not a lot of eye contact.

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna was on WMAQ-TV trying to point out how many different positions Durbin and the Senate Democrats had taken since Blagojevich appointed Burris.

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin had not figured it out Friday when he said the Illinois Supreme Court decision wasn’t good enough.

But it looks as if he and the other all-white Senate Democrat delegation have now.

They have been Blagojeviched.

Maybe Saturday Night Live’s ridicule of white Senate Democrats, plus maybe some more pressure from President-Elect Barack Obama did the trick.

On SNL, Burris was seen hoping to help the Senate follow the example of Utah by seating him.

For those who have not lived in Utah, as I did for three years in junior high school in the mid-1950′s, there were not a lot of non-white faces when I lived there. Actually, I don’t remember any.

When I moved there, Mormons were not even allowed to join the church.

Now, there must be a very low percentage of African-Americans for SNL to use it as an example of what the Senate looks like.

Today, Burris was on TV reading a statement. Not a lot of eye contact.

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna was on WMAQ-TV trying to point out how many different positions Durbin and the Senate Democrats had taken since Blagojevich appointed Burris.