Opening the next chapter of his political life, Gov. Rod Blagojevich Wednesday promised that the federal investigations that are sure to hover over his second term will not prevent him from pursuing his ambitious social agenda.
In the same spot where he greeted voters after winning office four years ago, Blagojevich was at the Jefferson Park CTA station only hours after defeating Republican challenger Judy Baar Topinka. He again laid out an agenda that piggybacks on initiatives he launched in his first term and said he remains unconcerned about the federal activity surrounding his administration.
“I know the truth of things and I trust in the truth, and the truth, as they say in the Bible, as it’s written in the Bible, the truth will set you free,” he said as he reached out to morning commuters. “And as long as you keep trying to do the right thing and you know what the truth is, you got nothing to worry about.”
Blagojevich, who will be inaugurated in early January, is the state’s first chief executive re-elected since Republican Gov. Jim Edgar in 1994. He’s also the first Democrat to win a second term since Otto Kerner in 1964.
On the surface, his second term should be part of an all-but-perfect scenario for Democrats.
Democrats now have firm control over both chambers of the state legislature–including an overwhelming majority in the Senate. At the same time, a divided and defeated state GOP appears to stand little chance of offering much serious opposition.
But the specter of scandal still hangs heavy over Blagojevich and his administration. When political insider Stuart Levine pleaded guilty last month to corruption charges, his attorney said it could take two years for his client to fulfill his agreement to cooperate with federal prosecutors.
The Levine-related indictment of Blagojevich friend and fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko will continue an unwelcome focus on the governor’s administration, as will a federal investigation into what U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald has referred to as allegations of “endemic hiring fraud” in state government.
Blagojevich has not been accused of any wrongdoing. He said Tuesday’s victory shows voters are more interested in issues that have a direct impact on their daily lives. “I think [Tuesday] night’s results show that,” Blagojevich said. “I mean people have the right perspective on some of the different kinds of things that happened.”
Among voters who thought the issue of corruption and ethics in state government was very important, the National Election Pool exit survey of Illinois voters found 47 percent voted for Blagojevich and 40 percent backed Topinka. The poll was conducted Tuesday by Edison/Mitofsky.
The survey showed Blagojevich won handily among women, 53 percent to 36 percent, reflecting the success of the governor’s efforts to promote social issues, such as making women and children’s health care more available, and family issues, such as expanded preschool.
Blagojevich said the outcome of the balloting puts the “wind behind me” as he propels his vision for his second term–another increase in the minimum wage, universal health care, $100 million in funding for stem-cell research and providing all-day kindergarten and smaller school class sizes.
Blagojevich’s plan to fund his education initiative calls for selling or leasing the state lottery, but it has met with little support so far.
Though many Democrats in the legislature may share the governor’s vision, getting his agenda passed might prove difficult. Although he works closely with Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago), Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) have never been particularly close. Madigan is also renowned for being more focused on political issues that affect his Democratic majority than any legislation that would benefit the governor.
“This doesn’t mean he has a mandate,” argued state Rep. Jack Franks, a Woodstock Democrat who has been critical of Blagojevich. “He’ll try to get his agenda passed, but we need to know who we’re dealing with. How legitimate are these federal investigations? Will he keep his word?”
But Democratic state Sen. James DeLeo of Chicago, who joined the governor in Jefferson Park, said he thinks Blagojevich will focus on pushing his agenda, starting with the minimum wage next week in the fall veto session.
“I don’t think any of these investigations touch the governor,” he said.
“I think when friends betray trust, it not only hurts you personally, it hurts you politically. But you can’t control somebody else’s actions, and if somebody has financial problems, sometimes people walk on the dark side, and Gov. Blagojevich has always been one that’s led a very open life.”
———-
jchase@tribune.com
rap30@aol.com
