All summer long, Democratic incumbent Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has held a commanding lead over Republican opponent Judy Baar Topinka, Illinois' State Treasurer, in his campaign for reelection. His lead has been falling in the fall, though, and the news of a close advisor being indicted for corruption isn't going to help. Libby Sander of The New York Times writes:
Accusations of political corruption drew closer to Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois on Wednesday, as a federal grand jury indicted one of his top advisers and fund-raisers in an alleged kickback scheme involving state pension funds.
The fraud accusations against the adviser, Antoin Rezko, whose ties to Mr. Blagojevich date to the early 1990's, come in the final weeks of a campaign in which Mr. Blagojevich's opponent has made ethics a top issue. That opponent, Judy Baar Topinka, the Illinois treasurer, has kept up a steady refrain reminding voters that four years ago Mr. Blagojevich ran for governor on the promise of cleaning up corruption.Mr. Blagojevich, a Democrat, was quick to criticize the accusations against Mr. Rezko, whom prosecutors said devised an elaborate plan to extort millions of dollars from investment firms seeking to do business with state pension funds.
Read the whole story at the link above. At least he is standing by his crooked friend.
After an utterly lackluster campaign, Topinka is finally turning up the heat in the stretch run. The heat from federal corruption charges will only add to the fire.
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A $10,000.00 contribution w... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Jim Joing | October 13, 2006 5:11 PM | Score: -4 (4 votes cast)
A $10,000.00 contribution was made by the Elevator Constructors Local 2 PAC Fund was made to "Friends of Blagojevich" in July 2003 to get the Chairmanship of the Illinois Elevator Safety Board for Frank Christensen and allow him to make "carte blanche" appointments to the Illinois Elevator Safety Review Board. The IUEC is trying to control the Elevator Industry through the Illinois Elevator Safety Board. The Chairman of the Illinois Elevator Safety Board is Frank Christensen who is the Business Manager of Elevator Constructors Local 2 (Chicago) and he is also a Vice-President of the International Union of Elevator Constructors.
1. Frank Christensen was appointed Chairman of the Elevator Safety Board in June 2003 and he received "carte blanc" on the appointment of Commissioners to the Illinois Elevator Board from Governor Rod Blagojevich after a $10,000.00 contribution from the Elevator Constructors Local 2(Chicago) PAC Fund on July 23, 2003 and a $10,000.00 contribution from the Elevator Constructors Local 3(St. Louis) PAC Fund on July 25, 2003. (enclosures)
2. Chairman Frank Christensen is under a massive four pronged joint Federal/State of Illinois investigation by the United States Department of Labor (OLMS) and the Inspector General's Office for the Governor of Illinois for abuse of power and co-mingling Union Business with State Business. Mary Kebisek - District Director of the United States Department of Labor is handling the Federal Investigation.
Then a Member of IUEC Local 2 disagreed with Frank Christensen over some of the rule changes in the Illinois Elevator Act his that Member's father who works for a suburban elevator inspectional company had his pension and health benefits suspended by the IUEC. Another retiree who son is a political opponent of Chairman Frank Christensen was a former employee of the same at suburban elevator inspectional company also had his pension and health benefits suspended. The letter for suspension of their health and pension benefits was sent to the IUEC Benefit Plan Office was and was signed by IUEC Local 2 Business Representatives Robert "Terry" Shanklin and Arnold Elmhorst. (Business Representative Robert "Terry" Shanklin is under the direct supervision of Board Chairman Frank Christensen. The retiree's pension and health benefits were restored many months later by the IUEC Plan Office when they realized they were lied to by IUEC Local 2.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request should be filed with the Inspector's General Office for the Governor to determine the status of the investigation. The original investigator was Wayne Kern who finished his report on January 31, 2006. Wayne Kern is currently an Inspector General for the City of Chicago. The current Inspector General for the Governor who is involved with this case is Art Look.
3. Current Illinois Elevator Safety Board Commissioners are illegally on the Elevator Board. The following Illinois Elevator Safety Board Members are in violation of the criteria for their appointments. This information was supplied by the Investigator for the Inspector General for the Governor in November 2005.
A. John Calandra - Was appointed to the Illinois Elevator Safety Board in June 2003 as a Building Owner Representative. Mr. Calandra is the current owner of Urban Elevator Services Inc. of Cicero, Illinois and was the former President of County-Wide Elevator Services, Inc. (enclosures)
B. Robert Capuni Sr. - Was appointed to the Illinois Elevator Safety Board in June 2003 as a Manufacturers' Representative. At the time of Mr. Capuani's appointment, he was an employee of ACM Elevator of Des Plaines, Illinois which did not manufacture elevators. Currently, Mr. Capuani has been a salesman for Urban Elevator Service, Inc. of Cicero, Illinois since 2005. Robert Capuani was named as Administrator to the Illinois Elevator Safety Division on August 15, 2006. His son Robert Jr. is a member of the Elevator Constructors Local 2 Executive Board and is a political ally of Frank Christensen
4- The Office State Fire Marshall has appointed a state inspector who is a friend of Chairman Frank Christensen (Chester Janus). Mr. Janus was an employed as bridge inspector and has been out of the elevator industry for the past 10 years. Chairman Frank Christensen studied karate in the 1980's with Mr. Janus. This is an obvious political hiring while other qualified applicants did not receive the job.
5. Frank Christensen failed to abide by the Open Meetings Act by not notifying the public of rule changes and not having the appropriate Public Hearings. Mr. Christensen has also failed to notify all Illinois Elevator Review Board Commissioners of any business or rule changes or had scheduled any meeting to discuss rule changes and other business. Mr. Christensen also made unilateral rule changes without consent or knowledge of the Illinois Elevator Safety Review Board. Mr. Christensen qualifications are also in question due to the fact that he could not pass the minimum "open book" code requirement testing to receive his Qualified Elevator Inspection certification.
6. The Illinois Elevator Safety Board is under investigation by the Inspector General's Office for the Governor of Illinois for Illinois Elevator Safety Board appointments in which current commissioners do not meet the criteria as set forth in the Illinois Elevator Safety Act.
7. The Illinois Elevator Safety Board is trying to implement "emergency licenses" which is a violation of the Illinois Elevator Safety Act. "Only a Licensed Elevator Contractor may request an emergency license in case of a work stoppage or a natural disaster."
The waste of Illinois Taxpayers money in excess of $1,000,000. The huge conflict of interest of having Frank Christensen as Chairman of the Illinois Elevator Safety Board and being an International Officer of the Elevator Constructors Union as well as the Business Manager of Elevator Constructors Local 2 in Chicago. The Illinois Elevator Safety Act was the brainchild of the International Union of Elevator Constructors and the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund to protect union work and they paid a lobbyist $125,000.00 to grease the wheels. The purpose of the Act (which has been initiated in a number of States) is to organize non-signatory companies and personnel at the expenses of the taxpayers of Illinois. For the Business Manager of Elevator Constructors Local 2 and International Union of Elevator Constructors Vice-President Frank Christensen to also be the Chairman of the Illinois Elevator Safety Review Board is a conflict of interest. Mr. Christensen has no formal education past high school and in 2005 failed his Qualified Elevator Inspectors examination which is a minimal code testing knowledge for the Elevator Industry.
Enc: $10,000.00 Contribution to "Friends of Blagojevich" by IUEC Local 2 (Chicago) PAC Fund on July 23, 2003.
$10,000.00 Contribution to "Friends of Blagojevich" by IUEC Local 3 (St. Louis) on July 25, 2003.
$2,000.00 Contribution to "Friends of Blagojevich" by IUEC Local 2 (Chicago) PAC Fund on June 17, 2004.
Illinois Corporate File Detail Report on Urban Elevator Service, Inc. owned by John Calandra who is listed as a "Building Owner" on the Illinois Elevator Safety Review Board.
Illinois Corporate File Detail Report on Country-Wide Elevator Service, Inc. owned by John Calandra who is listed as a "Building Owner" on the Illinois Elevator Safety Review Board. The Corporation was dissolved on November 1, 2005.
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IUEC Local #2 Political Committee
D-2 Semiannual Report
7/1/2003 to 12/31/2003
This report has 14 itemized Transfers Out totaling $20,010.00 Received By Address Amount Expended By Purpose/Beneficiary
25th Ward Reg Dem Org 2441 S. Oakley
Chicago, IL 60608 $500.00
8/13/2003 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
25th Ward Reg Dem Org
Blogojevich Friends of 221 N LaSalle
Suite 1137
Chicago, IL 60601 $10,000.00
7/23/2003 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Blogojevich Friends of
Crotty Friends of Maggie PO Box 203
Oak Forest, IL 60452 $425.00
7/14/2003 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee ticket purchase
Crotty Friends of Maggie
Crotty Friends of Maggie PO Box 203
Oak Forest, IL 60452 $500.00
10/30/2003 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Crotty Friends of Maggie
Dart Citizens for 9525 S. 79th Ave
Hickory Hills, IL 60457 $300.00
8/13/2003 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Dart Citizens for
Grandberg Citizens for Kurt 120 W. Kinzie
Chicago, IL 60610 $1,000.00
11/7/2003 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Grandberg Citizens for Kurt
Hoffmann Comm to Elect Jay C PO Box 134
Collinsville, IL 62234 $1,000.00
11/7/2003 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Hoffmann Comm to Elect Jay C
IL AFL-CIO Cope 534 S Second Street
Springfield, IL 62701 $600.00
10/30/2003 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
IL AFL-CIO Cope
Lang Citizens for Lou 4528 W. Oakton
Skokie, IL 60076 $500.00
8/3/2003 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Lang Citizens for Lou
McHenry County Dem Central Comm 111 S Virginia Ave
Crystal Lake, IL 60014 $190.00
8/13/2003 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
McHenry County Dem Central Comm
Mel Citizens for 3712 N Francisco Ave
Chicago, IL 60618 $1,000.00
12/16/2003 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Mel Citizens for
Mudslingers PAC 245 S Haman
Palatine, IL 60067 $525.00
7/23/2003 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee ticket purchase
Mudslingers PAC
National Elevator Const PAC 7154 Columbia Gateway Drive
Coumbia, MD 21046 $3,170.00
10/18/2003 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
National Elevator Const PAC
Rita Friends of Robert (Bob) 2030 High Street
Blue Island, IL 60406 $300.00
7/15/2003 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Rita Friends of Robert (Bob)
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Your search found 1 receipts totaling $10,000.00
Contributed By Amount Received By Description
International Union of Elevator Constructors Local No. 3-PAC 5916 Wilson Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110 $10,000.00
7/25/2003 Individual Contribution
Friends of Blagojevich
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IUEC Local #2 Political Committee
D-2 Semiannual Report
1/1/2004 to 6/30/2004
This report has 15 itemized Transfers Out totaling $9,090.00 Received By Address Amount Expended By Purpose/Beneficiary
33rd Ward Reg Dem Org 3649 N Kedzie
Chicago, IL 60618 $500.00
6/12/2004 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee Tickets
33rd Ward Reg Dem Org
Allen Citz for Tom 5817 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60634 $740.00
5/28/2004 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Allen Citz for Tom
Blogojevich Friends of 221 N LaSalle
Suite 1137
Chicago, IL 60601 $2,000.00
6/17/2004 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Blogojevich Friends of
Chicago & Cook County Bldg & Trades Council 150 N Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606 $1,495.00
4/16/2004 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Chicago & Cook County Bldg & Trades Council
Franks Citz for Jack D 10515 Countryclub Road
Woodstock, IL 60098 $500.00
2/16/2004 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Franks Citz for Jack D
Franks Citz for Jack D 10515 Countryclub Road
Woodstock, IL 60098 $300.00
6/28/2004 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Franks Citz for Jack D
Lang Citizens for Lou 4528 W. Oakton
Skokie, IL 60076 $500.00
2/29/2004 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Lang Citizens for Lou
McGing Comm to Elect James Michael 6723 N. NW Hwy
Chicago, IL 60631 $500.00
2/29/2004 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
McGing Comm to Elect James Michael
McGuire Citz for Pam 903 Peterson Drive
Joliet, IL 60435 $580.00
4/28/2004 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
McGuire Citz for Pam
Porter County Dem Central Comm $300.00
4/28/2004 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Porter County Dem Central Comm
Porter County Dem Central Comm $100.00
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IUEC Local #2 Political Committee Tickets
Porter County Dem Central Comm
Rita Friends of Robert (Bob) 2030 High Street
Blue Island, IL 60406 $500.00
1/28/2004 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Rita Friends of Robert (Bob)
Ronen Citz for Carol 28596 W Main Street
Barrington, IL 60010 $200.00
5/10/2004 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Ronen Citz for Carol
Saviano Friends of 8153 W. Grand Ave
River Grove, IL 60171 $375.00
6/28/2004 Transfer Out
IUEC Local #2 Political Committee contribution
Saviano Friends of
Verschoore Friends of 455 N. Cityfront Drive
Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60611 $500.00
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SERVICES PROGRAMS PRESS PUBLICATIONS DEPARTMENTS CONTACT
CORPORATION FILE DETAIL REPORT
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Entity Name URBAN ELEVATOR SERVICE, INC. File Number 55229392
Status GOODSTANDING
Entity Type CORPORATION Type of Corp DOMESTIC BCA
Incorporation Date (Domestic) 09/26/1988 State ILLINOIS
Agent Name BURKELAW AGENTS, INC Agent Change Date 05/25/2005
Agent Street Address 330 N WABASH AVE, 22ND FLR President Name & Address JOHN D CALANDRA 4830 W 16TH ST CICERO IL 60804-1530
Agent City CHICAGO Secretary Name & Address DICK DEFORTE SAME
Agent Zip 60611-3607 Duration Date PERPETUAL
Annual Report Filing Date 08/08/2005 For Year 2005
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SERVICES PROGRAMS PRESS PUBLICATIONS DEPARTMENTS CONTACT
CORPORATION FILE DETAIL REPORT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entity Name COUNTY-WIDE ELEVATOR SERVICES, INC. File Number 61152032
Status DISSOLVED
Entity Type CORPORATION Type of Corp DOMESTIC BCA
Incorporation Date (Domestic) 06/29/2000 State ILLINOIS
Agent Name JOHN ROGER BRANDENBURG Agent Change Date 06/29/2000
Agent Street Address 20 N WACKER DR STE 1660 President Name & Address JOHN D CALANDRA 4830 W 16TH ST CICERO 60804
Agent City CHICAGO Secretary Name & Address INVOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION 11 01 05
Agent Zip 60606-0000 Duration Date PERPETUAL
Annual Report Filing Date 00/00/0000 For Year 2005
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1. Posted by Jim Joing | October 13, 2006 5:11 PM |
Score: -4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 13, 2006 17:11