Toxic sludge oozed out of rusty barrels, soaked through cardboard boxes and spilled over frothy vats inside a west suburban warehouse raided by state inspectors in January 2008.
Even though the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency had plenty of evidence to file charges against the owner and operator of Anchor Metal Finishing, top agency officials sat on the case for more than a year. Meanwhile, carcinogenic solvents and caustic acids kept leaching from barrels packed haphazardly into a ramshackle building, two blocks away from a Schiller Park subdivision.
What appeared to be an obvious violation of state environmental laws became entangled in one of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's political feuds, delaying action for months. Dozens of other cases against polluters languished as well, largely because Blagojevich and his top aides refused to refer them to his archnemesis, Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan, a Tribune investigation found.
The bitter dispute still reverberates through state government today, eight months after Blagojevich was arrested on federal corruption charges and impeached from office. Nearly 19 months after it was discovered, the Schiller Park site still hasn't been cleaned up, and several other older cases are moving through an enforcement system that Gov. Pat Quinn and Madigan only recently have begun to repair.
Blagojevich and Madigan started out on amicable terms after they were elected in 2002. But EPA referrals of civil and criminal violations to the attorney general began to drop sharply in 2005, and fell to a record low of 114 in 2007, according to state records.
The agency hasn't sent a criminal case to the attorney general in two years, records show.
By contrast, previous administrations on average referred about 300 environmental cases during most years since the mid-1980s. The EPA forwarded nearly 30 criminal violations to the attorney general in 2003, before the relationship soured between two of the state's top Democrats.
Polluters didn't suddenly wise up and start following the law. Instead, top EPA officials now acknowledge, the agency avoided sending cases to Madigan, whose office handles most of the legal work for state government.
"There were some issues between us and the attorney general, and that skewed those numbers," said EPA Director Doug Scott, who was appointed by Blagojevich in 2005 and kept on by Quinn.
As the conflict roiled, federal officials stepped in on some of the biggest environmental cases in the Chicago area.
For instance, the U.S. EPA is conducting a high-profile criminal investigation into Crestwood's secret use of a community well contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals, a case the Illinois EPA tried to quietly handle informally while Blagojevich was still governor.
Federal regulators also filed suit against Midwest Generation, the owner of six coal-fired power plants that records show are some of the biggest contributors to dirty air in the Chicago area. Madigan's staff documented thousands of pollution violations at the plants, but the state EPA repeatedly refused to take action against the company, which was represented for years by one of Blagojevich's top campaign aides.
Scott, a former state lawmaker and Rockford mayor, defended his agency's record. He argued that many environmental violations have been addressed without formal enforcement action involving the attorney general's office.
In many cases, Scott said, the agency is required by law to conduct informal negotiations with polluters. Business lobbyists persuaded lawmakers in 2002 to require a less-confrontational approach that doesn't involve the attorney general's office unless there is an imminent threat to the environment; lawsuits still can be filled if an agreement can't be brokered.
While the state EPA declined to cite Midwest Generation -- the agency agreed with the company that frequent bursts of soot from its coal plants weren't harmful -- Scott noted the Blagojevich administration negotiated a deal that will force the aging generators to clean up or shut down by the end of the next decade. Environmental groups have gone to court seeking to impose tighter deadlines.
Midwest Generation officials have said their agreement shows the company is committed to environmental improvements.
"It's not like we haven't done anything," Scott said. "It's not like these guys are completely thumbing their noses at us."
The Blagojevich years were marked by ongoing squabbles between the governor, statewide officials and lawmakers. Fueled by rivalries for attention and power, the disputes were always political and often personal.
From interviews with current and former officials who worked for Blagojevich and Madigan, it becomes clear that the lag in environmental enforcement dates to January 2005, when the attorney general launched an investigation into allegations that the former governor traded government jobs for campaign funds.
The probe was prompted by accusations leveled by Blagojevich's father-in-law, Ald. Richard Mell (33rd), who was incensed that the then-governor had personally intervened and ordered the EPA to shut down a landfill run by a relative of Mell's wife.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/23/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
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#1
What exactly in Illinois isn't hampered by politics?
I wouldn't be surprised to hear the sun rises 10 minutes late every day there due to some kind of political infighting. >:-(
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
08/23/2009 22:47 Comments ||
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#2
Most Americans support cops, and trust them waaay more than we do politicians. If Obama hadn't done the beer thing, his rabid administration and butt kissers would have gone on a continual smear campaign against the cop. If this had happened the backlash would have been of seismic proportions.
Had Obama been left unchecked, I suspect the Gates thing would have gone down in history as Obama's waterloo. He stopped just short of going too far, and I hate that he did. I would have prefered to see him twisting in the wind when he realized what he did and said went too far, and I hate that I am saying that. I wonder who REALLY leash jerked him back into submission, and made him do the beer idea?
The last time Hopkinton homes were assessed, droves of upset residents questioned the accuracy of much-higher appraisals and the tax spike that followed.
Three years later, property values have plunged. The town's overall value is down 17 percent. But taxes are not.
As assessors wrap up a town-wide revaluation, they say Hopkinton's tax rate will have to jump more than 21 percent over last year's to compensate for the lessened property values.
That change will be reflected in tax bills due this December. With the rate increase, "you're going to end up paying what you did last year," said Selectman George Langwasser. "Chances are your taxes are going to increase, not decrease."
Why an increase, especially since voters passed a flat budget during March's town meeting? Factors besides the reassessment could play into this winter's bills, including a teachers contract expected to come before voters during a special October meeting and costs that the state passed down to towns, such as administering a swine flu vaccine, said Selectman Scott Flood.
The town is also weighing a plan to put $433,000 toward a conservation easement for a struggling dairy farm in Contoocook, a proposal the selectmen may bring before voters this fall at a cost of $53,000 this year.
But "irrespective of anything going on in town," Flood said, December tax bills always top what residents pay in June. "You have to pay for inflation from the prior year, plus the things voted on in March town meeting," he said. "If the budget's kept flat from '08 to '09 . . . there's still going to be an increase."
Posted by: Fred ||
08/23/2009 00:00 ||
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Link ||
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#1
Remember tax serf you exist to serve the state.
#5
tax rate will have to jump more than 21 percent over last year's to compensate for the lessened property values.
So the end point is that the dollar amount of taxes the residents pay will be the same, right? Possibly catastrophic for those who've lost jobs, but a wash for those still working, it seems to me. What do you suppose the level of financial -- or even arithmetic -- training this Concord Monitor reporter has received?
#2
The problem for those hanging on to the threads of power is that legitimacy is not the number of ballots cast in any election. Dictators get vast majorities on stages elections. Rather the consent of the governed is what Lincoln referred to as those willing 'to give their last full measure of devotion'. Or as the old sarge would say 'are you willing to die on that hill?'. Staged crowds have a tendency in history to disappear like the wind when faced with such realities.
Message", therefore I copy what was sent to me by three different riends on this title.
Subject: Fw: What Really Happened Last Week in Montana
> This was sent to me by a friend of a friend in Bozeman,
> MT who was there.
> Why do we tolerate this?
>
>
>
> Hello All,
>
> By now you have probably heard that President Obama came to Montana
> last Friday. However, there are many things that the major news has
> not covered. I feel that since Bill and I live here and we were at
> the airport on Friday I should share some facts with you. Whatever
> you decide to do with the information is up to you. If you chose to
> share this email with others I do ask that you DELETE my email
> address before you forward this on.
>
> On Wednesday, August 5th it was announced locally that the
> President would be
> coming here. There are many groups here that are against his
> healthcare and huge spending so those groups began talking and
> deciding on what they were going to do. The White House would not
> release ANY details other than the date.
>
> On about Tuesday Bill found out that they would be holding the
> "Town Hall" at the airport. (This is only because Bill knows
> EVERYONE at the airport) Our airport is actually located outside of
> Belgrade (tiny
> town) in a very remote location. Nothing is around there. They
> chose to use a hangar that is the most
> remotely located hangar. You could not pick a more remote location,
> and you can not get to it easily. It is totally secluded from the
> public.
>
> FYI: We have many areas in Belgrade and Bozeman which could have
> held a large amount of folks with sufficient parking. (gymnasiums/
> auditoriums). All of which have chairs and tables, and would not
> have to be SHIPPED IN!! $$$$$
>
> During the week, cargo by the TONS was being shipped in constantly.
> Airport employees could not believe how it just kept coming. Though
> it was our President coming several expressed how excessive it was,
> especially during a recession. $$$$$
>
> Late Tuesday/early Wednesday the 12th, they said that tickets
> would be handed out on Thursday 9am at two locations and the
> president would be arriving around 12:30 Friday.
>
> Thursday morning about 600 tickets were passed out. However, 1500
> were printed at a Local printing shop per White House request.
> Hmmmm......900 tickets just DISAPPEARED.
>
> This same morning someone called into the radio from the local UPS
> branch and said that THOUSANDS of Dollars of Lobster were shipped
> in for Obama. Montana has some of the best beef in the nation!!!
> And it would have been really wonderful to help out the local
> economy. Anyone heard of the Recession?? Just think...with all of
> the traveling the White House is doing. $$$$$ One can only imagine
> what else we are paying for.
>
> On Friday Bill and I got out to the airport about 10:45am. The
> groups that wanted to protest Obama's spending and healthcare had
> gotten a permit to protest and that area was roped off. But that
> was not to be. A large bus carrying SEIU (Service Employees
> International Union) members drove up onto the
> area (illegal) and unloaded right there. It was quite a commotion
> and there were specifically 2 SEIU men
> trying to make trouble and start a fight. Police did get involved
> and arrested the one man but they said they did not have the
> manpower to remove the SEIU crowd.
>
> The SEIU crowd was very organized and young. About 99% were under
> the age of 30 and they were not locals! They had bullhorns and
> PROFESSIONALLY made signs. Some even wore preprinted T-shirts. Oh,
> and Planned Parenthood folks were with them.....professing abortion
> rights with their T-shirts and
> preprinted signs. (BTW, all these folks did have a permit to
> protest in ANOTHER area)
>
> Those against healthcare/spending moved away from the SEIU crowd to
> avoid confrontation. They were orderly and respectful. Even though
> SEIU kept coming over and walking through, continuing to be very
> intimidating and aggressive at the direction of the one SEIU man.
>
> So we had Montana folks from ALL OVER the state with their homemade
> signs and their DOGS with homemade signs. We had cowboys, nurses,
> doctors you name it. There was even a guy from Texas who had
> been driving through. He found out about the occasion, went to the
> store, made a sign, and came to protest.
>
> If you are wondering about the press.....Well, all of the major
> networks were over by that remote hangar I mentioned. They were
> conveniently parked on the other side of the buildings FAR away.
> None of these crowds were even visible to them. I have my doubts
> that they knew anything about the crowds.
>
> We did have some local news media around us from this state and
> Idaho. Speaking of the local
> media...they were invited. However, all questions were to be turned
> into the White House in advance of the event. Wouldn't want anyone
> to have to think off the top of their head.
>
> It was very obvious that it was meant to be totally controlled by
> the White House. Everything was orchestrated down to the last
> detail to make it appear that Montana is just crazy for Obama and
> government healthcare. Even those people that talked about their
> insurance woes........the White House called our local HRDC (Human
> Resource and Development Committee) and asked for names. Then the
> White House asked those folks to come. Smoke and
> mirrors...EVERYTHING was staged!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> I am very dismayed about what I learned about our current White
> House. The amount of control and manipulation was unbelievable. I
> felt I was not living in the United States of America, more like
> the USSR!! I was physically nauseous. Bill and I have been around
> when Presidents or Heads of State visit. It has NEVER been like
> this. I am truly very frightened for our country. America needs
> your prayers and your voices. If you care about our country please
> get involved. Know the issues. And let Congress hear your voices
> again and again!! If they are willing to put forth so much effort
> to BULLY a small town one can only imagine what is going on in
> Washington DC.
> Scary!!
>
> Kathy
>
> Bozeman, Montana
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/23/2009 12:53 Comments ||
Top||
#4
I went fishing for comments in Montana and Idaho about this affair to confirm/deny this email. Couldn't do it. This is just the sort of thing I want to believe because it supports my biases but I can't confirm any of it. Can someone help, please.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon ||
08/23/2009 13:16 Comments ||
Top||
#6
I don't know about the veracity of these emails. I know what I saw on the TV. The Bozeman town hall Meeting did not look anything like what I have been seeing previously. No hard questions--all softball questions. No one appeared to be pi$$ed off as in all of the other town hall meetings I have seen. The BO town hall meeting appeared to be completely staged and controlled.
#8
If you read it "Kathy" is not the author, but who the author sent it to.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/23/2009 15:56 Comments ||
Top||
#9
Just the same --- The entire Obama administration is on a stage, the chorus is the Congress, the American people the spectators, in a modern Greek Tragedy ala Shakespear.
#10
I submitted the links and the texts to Snopes.com. This is the kind of thing they live for. The last time I submitted the pirate hunting cruise, they sent me a note when they posted the result of their search, so I'll let y'all know when they get back to me on this.
#3
Naaahhh, DMFD - Daschle's a DemocRat. He don't got to pay no stinkin' taxes - that just for the suckers little people.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
08/23/2009 10:16 Comments ||
Top||
#4
At least Daschle is making some bucks off the thing.
$5.3 million bucks the last 2 years.
He don't got to pay no stinkin' taxes
Obama picked Daschle to be Secretary of Health and Human Services (overseeing the Medicare, Medicaid and the health care industry) where he could really begin earning the millions his clients prepaid. But, oops, he neglected to pay his taxes.
Posted by: ed ||
08/23/2009 11:28 Comments ||
Top||
#5
$5.2 million? Chicken feed! I'm sure Soros made MUCH more than that off of Obama's Petrobras deal. See, Obama has nothing against wealth! Lots of his cronies individuals are getting rich because of his administration.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Toxic sludge oozed out of rusty barrels, soaked through cardboard boxes and spilled over frothy vats inside a west suburban warehouse raided by state inspectors in January 2008.
The last time Hopkinton homes were assessed, droves of upset residents questioned the accuracy of much-higher appraisals and the tax spike that followed. 
