Better Government Association

Verdict could mean trouble for Daley, Blagojovich

By Alan Suderman and Max Follmer - Medill News Service
April 20, 2006

Mayor Richard Daley shrugged off suggestions Tuesday that he was scared of any impact the guilty verdict in the George Ryan political corruption case would have on his own career.

"I have a good future," said Daley, after taking a quick tour of a new mixed-income condominium development at 2915 N. Clybourn Ave. "I'm very comfortable with my personal public life."

Daley said the outcome of the Ryan trial had no bearing on his re-election plans "whatsoever."

When pressed by reporters about whether he will run for mayor again in 2007, Daley said, "I don't know why you are asking me these questions."

But legal observers said Tuesday that the former governor's conviction could spell trouble for Daley as well as for Gov. Rod Blagojevich. They said Daley and Blagojevich had ample cause for concern because Ryan was found to have intentionally ignored the corrupt activities of his employees while he was secretary of state.

"I think (Daley's and Blagojevich's) concept of insulation has just deteriorated very, very rapidly," said Dan Sprehe, chief investigator for the Better Government Association. "The idea that the person at the top would never be put on trial -- that whole fallacy is gone."

Daley's administration is currently under investigation for its role in allegedly illegal hiring practices at City Hall. Next month, four former Daley aides, including ex-patronage chief Robert Sorich, are scheduled to face federal corruption charges for allegedly circumventing a federal court order, known as the Shakman decree, that prevents politically-motivated hiring for city jobs.

When asked what the Ryan ruling would mean for all city workers, Daley said, "You do not violate the law. You go on and do your work -- simple as that."

Ald. Billy Ocasio, 26th, who also was on hand to promote the new mixed-income housing development, was more vocal about what the Ryan verdict meant.

"I think the message ... is what a lot of the public is feeling: 'We are tired of dealing with corruption.'"

Ocasio praised Daley and said he did not think the mayor had anything to do with illegal hiring practices. But Ocasio conceded that the Ryan verdict may have some impact on Daley's future if it could be proven that the mayor intentionally buried his head in the sand.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's office also is looking into the Blagojevich administrations' practices of awarding contracts.

Stuart Levine, a Highland Park lawyer, has been charged in connection with a kickback scheme that sought to direct state pension fund business to politically-connected consultants who were chosen by a high ranking government figure known as "Public Official A" in court documents.

Though Blagojevich is not named in any court filings, he is widely suspected to be "Public Official A," and prosecutors have done little to quash that speculation.

"I'd be nervous," said Kent Redfield, a professor of political studies and interim director of the Institute for Legislative Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield. "I don't know about his culpability or his lack of culpability ... but obviously you have an allegation of influence peddling.

"Even if it doesn't involve the governor directly, it certainly will be an issue in the fall (election)."

David Morrison, assistant director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, said Ryan's conviction also put lower level government workers on notice since investigators worked "carefully and methodically" through the secretary of state's office to get to Ryan.