GOP Candidates for Illinois Governor Meet in Forum

While the five Republican candidates tackled questions about education, abortion and government reform, two of the biggest names looming in the GOP primary race were missing from the event: former Illinois GOP chairman Andy McKenna and former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan.

Ryan's entry into the race could help overcome a potential weakness in the Republican field, said Chris Mooney, a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

''There are no statewide-elected or former statewide-elected officials in the field,'' he said.

Mooney's comments were featured in an Associated Press article which appeared on the New York Times and Washington Post websites.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091021-NYT-GOP-Candidates-for-Illinois.pdf

Upstate split benefits Brady in gubernatorial race

These are the best of times for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady of Bloomington.

"For Brady, this is all a benefit because he'd like to see the others fight it out," said Chris Mooney, a political scientist at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

"The fact that there are seven candidates now means that no one has been able to clear the field," said Kent Redfield, another University of Illinois at Springfield political scientist. "But in the cold light of day they're going to look at what it costs to do media buys and someone is going to drop out."

Mooney and Redfield were featured in an October 18, 2009 article in the Champaign News-Gazette.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091018-NG-upstate_split_benefits_Brady.pdf

Larry Golden: Secrecy gets city into trouble time and again

Larry Golden, emeritus professor of political science and legal studies at the University of Illinois Springfield was featured in an October 14, 2009 State Journal-Register opinion column.

"The recent State Journal-Register editorial on the Springfield Civil Service Commission’s consideration of the suspension of City Water, Light and Power workers in the noose incident was merely an introduction to an event with secretive and anti-democratic actions that bring shame to the entire city and its citizens," wrote Golden.

Download the entire opinion article as a PDF.
20091014-SJR-Larry-Golden-Secrecy-ge.pdf

Blagojevich book offers his side

Former Governor Rod Blagojevich is trying to present a different portrait of himself in his new book The Governor.

Kent Redfield, a political science professor at the University of Illinois-Springfield, says it's too late for Blagojevich to resuscitate his reputation. "I think the judgment is pretty clear ... that he was a complete disaster (as governor) in addition to being completely corrupt," Redfield says. "He's become a sideshow."

Redfield's comments were featured in a September 8, 2009 edition of USA Today.

Download a PDF of the article.
20090908-USAToday-Blagojevich-book.pdf

Different governor but same stand-off at Capitol

Pat Quinn took over as governor amid high hopes for a new, more cooperative attitude at the state Capitol. But old attidues have emerged as leaders tried to decide how to dig the state out of an $11.6 billion budget hole.

During Blagojevich’s last few years in office, lawmakers got used to working around him because his relations with them had grown so frosty. Now, some see that attitude carrying over to the new governor because Quinn doesn’t have the political muscle to change it, according to Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS.

Redfield's remarks were featured in a July 6, 2009, article in the Galesburg Register Mail.

Download a PDF of the article
20090706-GalesburgRM-budgetgridlock.pdf

Burris refuses to resign from Senator seat

Illinois Senator Roland Burris refused to resign on Tuesday, February 24, despite pressure from his home state, fellow Senators, including Illinois Senator Richard Durbin, and others. Burris has changed his story several times about whether he tried to raise money for former governor Rod Blagojevich.

According to Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS, national Democrats are feeling like Burris "hung them out to dry," as quoted in a February 24, 2009, article in the Associated Press.

Download a PDF of the article
20090224-AP-Burrisnotresigning.pdf

Burris returns to DC despite calls for resignation

Illinois senator Roland Burris returned to Washington D.C. on February 24 in the midst of calls for his resignation because of accusations that he has lied about circumstances surrounding his appointment from former governor Rod Blagojevich.

If Burris chooses not to resign, he may find it difficult to recruit a staff and could be isolated politically, according to Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS.

Redfield's quotes were featured in a February 24, 2009, article from the Associated Press about Burris.

Download a PDF of the article
20090224-AP-BurrisDC.pdf

State is drowning in debts

Bills at the state of Illinois comptroller's office are backing up and growing, forcing the state into deeper debt.

One move the state could make if the financial situation becomes too dire is to not pay back money it has borrowed. But that wouldn't be a smart move, according to Beverly Bunch, associate professor of public administration at UIS.

Bunch's comments were featured in a February 9, 2009 article in the Daily Herald.

Download a PDF of the article
20090209-DailyHerald-Statebills.pdf

Campaign cash is important for political statewide elections

Lt. Governor Pat Quinn is looking ahead to a possible governor post in light of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's legal troubles, but his campaign funds rank low for a potential run in the 2010 election as compared to other statewide politicians.

Charles Wheeler, director of the Public Affairs Reporting program at UIS, says that money in the bank right now is certainly helpful to those looking to run for state office next year.
Wheeler was quoted in a January 22, 2009, article in the Chicago Tribune.

Download a PDF of the article
20090122-ChiTrib-Quinncampaignfunds.pdf

Panel delays vote on closing health centers in Tinley Park

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability announced that it will delay the decision to close the Howe Developmental Center and the Tinley Park Mental Health Center until the impeachment trial of Gov. Rod Blagojevich is over.

Both facilities were stripped of federal funding last year and announced in September to be closing July 2009. The state can't close the facilities until a decision is made by the panel.

In a January 12, 2009, blog post on the Web site of the Southtown Star, Dr. Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS, was quoted as saying that the trial could take at least two weeks once it starts on January 26.

Download a PDF of the blog post
20090113-SouthtownStar-healthcentersdelay2.pdf

Redfield says Illinois legislative troubles could hurt involvement in national economic plan

According to Dr. Kent Redfield, UIS professor emeritus of political science, Illinois' legislative troubles since Governor Rod Blagojevich’s arrest last month could jeopardize the state’s involvement with President-elect Barack Obama's economic recovery plan.

The plan would help states rebuild roads, bridges and schools, Obama said.

Redfield's remarks were heard on Chicago Public Radio on January 5, 2009.

Download a PDF of the text of Redfield's interview

20090106-ChiPubRadio-ObamaEcPlanIllinois.pdf

Is Illinois really the most corrupt state?

Rod Blagojevich's addition to the state's rather long list of public officials to run afoul of the law has led to the observation that if Illinois isn't the most corrupt state, it's at least "one hell of a competitor." But it turns out that determining which state really holds that title isn't so easy.

In an article published in the December 18, 2008, Kansas City Star, Chris Mooney, UIS professor of Political Science, observes, "It's notoriously difficult to measure political corruption."

Download a pdf file of the article
20081218-KCS-IsIllinoistheMostCorrupt.pdf

Redfield commentary: Citizens must blame themselves

Kent Redfield, UIS emeritus professor of Political Science, filed a commentary with CNN on Gov. Rod Blagojevich and how he reflects the apparent general consensus among Illinoisans that "politics is solely about power, winning, and personal gain."

Download a pdf file of Redfield's commentary, which appeared on Dec. 16, 2008.
20081216-CNN-CommentaryonIllinoisVoters.pdf

Illinois citizens expect corrupt politics

A New York Times article recounting Illinois' long history of corrupt politicians speculates that Illinoisans have a wide-spread acceptance of less-than-ethical behavior by the people they elect to public office.

Kent Redfield, UIS professor emeritus of Political Science, observes in the article that, "There is this attitude among politicians, and frankly among citizens, that this is the way things are. Politics is for professionals."

Download a pdf file of the article, published on December 14, 2008.
20081214-NYT-InIllinoisaVirtualExpectation.pdf

Senate contenders unsure how to proceed

There is no shortage of potential candidates interested in filling President-elect Obama's vacant Senate seat, but in the current situation no one is sure exactly how to pursue that interest.

Chris Mooney, UIS professor of Political Science, says it's his opinion that -- if the choice falls to (current) Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn -- the appointment won't go to anyone known to be under consideration by (current) Gov. Rod Blagojevich. "We're making this up as we go along," Mooney observed.

Mooney was interviewed for an Associated Press article that appeared on December 12, 2008.

Download a pdf file
20081212-AP-ContendersNotSure.pdf

State's political culture fosters corruption

Even some of the most cynical observers of Illinois politics were shocked by the behavior that brought about Gov. Rod Blagojevich's arrest on federal corruption charges. But it was the extent of his brazenness that surprised people rather than the arrest itself; many point to Blagojevich as just an extreme example of the state's political culture.

In an article in the December 11, 2008, Christian Science Monitor, Kent Redfield, UIS professor emeritus of Political Science, says that Illinois tends to "treat politics as a business. It's not about public interest…It's about power and winning and jobs."

Download a pdf file of the article
20081211-CSM-CorruptionWindsThru.pdf

Blagojevich arrest hinders ability to conduct state business

Though Governor Rod Blagojevich gives no sign of stepping down, his ability to fulfill his official duties is seriously in question.

Kent Redfield, UIS professor emeritus of Political Science, says that while Blagojevich is governor and can sign bills and issue executive orders, "Nothing he does will be taken on its merits. It will all be: How does this fit into (his) legal problems?"

Redfield's comments were part of an article published in the December 11, 2008, Peoria Journal Star.

Download a pdf file of the article
20081211-PJS-ArrestCripplesGovernor.pdf

Corruption in state government isn't anything new

Governor Rod Blagojevich's arrest on federal corruption charges is just the latest chapter in Illinois' long history of political scandal.

Chris Mooney, UIS professor of Political Science, observed that "Government in Illinois isn't about political ideology or helping people. It's about which…brother-in-law are you going to get a job…because he helped you get into office."

Mooney's comments appeared in a December 10, 2008, posting in the Conservative Libertarian Outpost.

Download a pdf file
20081210-CLO-JustWhatIsNewinIl.pdf

Close ties to governor a liability

Illinois State Rep. Jay Hoffman has been among Gov. Rod Blagojevich's closest political allies and friends. But Hoffman, who serves as chair of the House Transportation Committee, may find he has less clout when the legislature reconvenes.

Kent Redfield, UIS professor emeritus of Political Science, notes that while the Governor's friendship had previously been a big asset, "now it's probably a liability."

Redfield's comments appeared in an article published December 10, 2008, in the Olympia, Washington, Olympian.

Download a pdf file of the article
20081210-Olympian-HoffmansClout.pdf

Quinn, Blagojevich don't get along

Though Pat Quinn serves as Lt. Governor, it's no secret that he and Gov. Rod Blagojevich don't like each other. An article that appeared in the December 10, 2008, Huffington Post examined the reasons for this and speculated on Quinn's future should Blagojevich leave office.

In the article, Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of Political Science at UIS, noted that the Quinn-Blagojevich relationship was "a marriage of convenience…their experiences are very different, so they really didn't have a lot to talk about."

Download a pdf file of the article
20081210-HP-QuinnVBlagojevich.pdf

Blagojevich re-election is a "sad commentary"

When Rod Blagojevich was first elected governor in 2002 he presented himself as a reformer; however by the time he was re-elected in 2006 the fact that his administration was under federal investigation was already widely known.

In an article that appeared in the December 9, 2008, Bloomington Pantagraph, Kent Redfield, UIS professor emeritus of Political Science, notes, "It's a pretty sad commentary that we elected him again."

Download a pdf file of the article
20081209-BP-HistoryRepeats.pdf

Arrest reinforces image of state as corrupt

An Associated Press story filed on December 9, 2008, reports on the growing opinion that the arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich has only reinforced Illinois' image as among the most corrupt states in the nation.

In the article, Charles Wheeler III, director of Public Affairs Reporting at UIS, notes that Blagojevich's apparent brazenness "blows everything else out of the water."

Download a pdf file of the article
20081209-AP-ArrestReinforcesImage.pdf

Wheeler: Blagovejich "most incompetent" governor

In an article contrasting the early promise of Gov. Rod Blagojevich with his subsequent performance and, finally, arrest on federal corruption charges, Charles Wheeler III, director of Public Affairs Reporting at UIS, assessed Blagojevich as "the most incompetent governor we've had in the last 50 years."

The Chicago Tribune article was published December 10, 2008.

Download a pdf file
20081210-CT-BlagojevichsPromiseCrashes.pdf

Redfield in NYT: Blagojevich may have tripped over ambition

Kent Redfield, UIS professor emeritus of Political Science, was among those asked to comment on Governor Rod Blagojevich's arrest on federal corruption charges for an article that ran in the December 10, 2008, New York Times.

Redfield noted that while Blagojevich "had clearly come into office believing he was destined for bigger things," he may have tripped up on his own ambition.

"The combination of arrogance and stupidity…is just stunning," said Redfield. "There's no feedback loop or reality check."

Download a pdf file of the article
20081210-NYT-BlagojevichArrest.pdf

Barricaded workers are a symbol

The laid-off workers of now-defunct Republic Widows and Doors who have taken over the Chicago factory and are refusing to leave until they receive assurances of promised severance and vacation pay have put a face to the reality of hard economic times.

Kent Redfield, UIS professor emeritus of Political Science, noted in a Chicago Tribune article that, while the case is classic politics, "politicians who… have something to offer are rightly intervening.

"It becomes a metaphor for what's going on in the larger economy," Redfield said.

Download a pdf file of the article, published on December 8, 2008.
20081208-CT-WorkersareaMetaphor.pdf

Obama discusses massive stimulus package

At his press conference yesterday, President-Elect Barack Obama discussed plans for economic recovery and emphasized the need to pass a massive stimulus package shortly after he takes office.

In an interview with Chicago Public Radio, Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS, remarked that Congress historically likes to take its time in debating how to dole out large sums of money, so passing such complex legislation early in a presidency will be no small task.

Download a PDF file featuring Redfield's radio quotes
20081125-ChiPubRadio-ObamaStimulusPackage.pdf

Corruption charges taint state's mood

With an Illinois senator poised to become President of the United States and centennial celebrations for the birth of Abraham Lincoln about to begin, the atmosphere in the state's capital should be buoyant. But allegations of government corruption are rampant.

An article in the November 24, 2008, Newsweek discusses the cloud hanging over Illinois politics and quotes UIS Professor Emeritus Kent Redfield as noting that, while the state has produced such iconic figures as Lincoln and Adlai Stevenson, an air of "let's make a deal" has always been "pretty pervasive" in Illinois.

Download a pdf file of the article
22081124-NW-CorruptionintheLandofLincoln.pdf

Who will Governor choose?

President-elect Barack Obama has resigned his Senate seat and it's up to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to choose a successor. Speculation is rife as the list of potential nominees grows longer.

An article in the November 13, 2008, New York Times quotes Kent Redfield, UIS professor emeritus of political science: "Compared to everything else, this is good publicity."

Download a pdf file of the article
20081113-NYT-BlagojevichPicksSuccessor.pdf

Scholarship to be named after Kent Redfield

UIS Professor Emeritus Kent Redfield is getting a scholarship fund named after him. The Kent Redfield Scholarship will be awarded annually to a student based on merit and financial need.

Redfield, a leader for years in research into campaign contributions in Illinois, retired September 1 after 29 years at UIS, but he still remains highly involved with the university and plans to teach a class per semester starting in the new year.

The news of his scholarship fund appears in a column in the September 13, 2008, issue of the State Journal-Register. Download a PDF file of the column
20081113-SJR-KentRedfieldScholarship.pdf

Election brings little change to state government

While Illinois voters answered the call for change in government at the national level, little changed at the Statehouse as a result of the November 4 elections.

Chris Mooney, UIS professor of Political Studies, noted, "You can't say this was transformational."

Charles Wheeler, professor and director of Public Affairs Reporting at UIS, said, "My guess is that most voters hold their local lawmaker in higher esteem than they do the legislature as an institution."

Read the article that appeared in the November 9, 2008, Daily Herald.

Download a pdf file of the article
20081109-CDH-VotersPushChange.pdf

Obama candidacy shines a light on Illinois legislature

Barack Obama's background in the Illinois Senate has focused more national attention than usual on the Illinois legislature and Illinois politics, as an article in the November 2, 2008, State Journal-Register reports.

UIS Professor of Public Affairs Reporting Charles Wheeler, a former newsman who covered the Statehouse for many years, weighs in on what Obama's record of voting "present" really means.

Professor of Political Science Chris Mooney notes that he had expected Obama to face much more and much harsher criticism because of the current investigation into charges of corruption in Illinois government and the federal conviction of one-time Obama fundraiser Tony Rezko.

Download a pdf file of the article
20081102-sjr-ObamaDrawsSpotlighttoIllLegislature.pdf

Redfield sees local races as a "way to send a message"

Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of Political Science, noted that local races are the best way for voters "to send a message" to the leaders of their respective political parties.

His comments appeared in an article on the impact local races can have on people's everyday lives that appeared in the November 3, 2008, Chicago Daily Herald.

Download a pdf file of the article
20081103-CDH-DontSkipUndercard.pdf

Redfield discusses Con-Con question

Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of Political Science, talked about the "strange bedfellows" that have resulted in the upcoming vote on whether Illinois should hold a new constitutional convention.

The interview was aired on Chicago public radio station WBEZ 91.5 FM on Monday, November 3.

Listen to the interview

Wheeler: Lawrence "one of the best"

When Mike Lawrence announced that he was returning to journalism after 11 years at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, including four years as director, his colleagues around the state were quick to praise the decision as well as the man.

UIS Public Affairs Reporting director Charles Wheeler III, who worked with Lawrence when both were Statehouse reporters, said, "I think that Mike's one of the best reporters I ever met," adding that Lawrence was respected by both Republicans and Democrats because he "took the time to understand the issues."

Download a pdf file of the article that appeared in the October 26, 2008, edition of The Southern
20081026-TS-LawrenceReturnstohisRoots.pdf

Innocence Project asks court to re-examine evidence in 1989 murder

The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project at UIS is expected to ask a Springfield circuit court to allow evidence from the 1989 murder of Melissa Koontz to be re-examined, using technologies such as DNA testing that were not widely available at the time of the trial.

One of the men serving a life sentence for the crime, Tom McMillen, has repeatedly denied any involvement. Director of Investigations Bill Clutter and students Priyanka Deo and Sarah Wellard say they have statements from some key witnesses who now claim not to have told the truth during the original investigation. The three have spent several weeks presenting their evidence to local authorities.

The August 31, 2008, State Journal-Register published an article about the case and the Innocence Project's role in re-examining McMillen's conviction.

Download a pdf file of the article

20080831-SJR-InnProjWants1989MurderRe-examined.pdf

Blagojevich keeps low profile

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is keeping a low profile as far as Illinois Senator and Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama is concerned.

In an article that appeared in the Rockford Register Star on August 21, 2008, UIS Professor Emeritus Kent Redfield notes that one big reason is Blagojevich's seemingly close ties to Tony Rezko, who is awaiting sentencing on his federal corruption conviction.

Download a pdf file of the article
20080821-RRS-BlagojevichSitsOut.pdf

Wheeler says it's "no surprise" Jones is retiring

Illinois Senate President Emil Jones has announced that he will retire when his current term expires in January 2009.

"I can't say I'm surprised," observed UIS' Public Affairs Reporting Director Charles Wheeler III in an article that appeared in the August 18, 2008, Daily Herald. Wheeler noted that Jones' close alliance with an unpopular governor has been an issue.

Download a pdf file of the article
20080818-DJ-EmilJonestoRetire.pdf

Wheeler says loading Obama with state's political baggage is unfair

Illinois senator and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has been a Chicago resident for nearly 25 years, and some observers wonder how much his campaign will be tainted by the city's reputation for seedy politics and the state's overall political history.

An article in the July 20, 2008, CQ Weekly quotes Charles Wheeler, director of Public Affairs Reporting at UIS, on the subject. Wheeler says that linking Obama with Illinois' political climate isn't fair: "People who have a more sophisticated knowledge of Chicago politics will realize that Obama is not a machine hack."

Download a pdf file of the article

20080720-CQW-ObamaNotChicagoHack.pdf

Innocence Project among groups hurt by state budget cuts

Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposed $1.4 billion in budget cuts will have dire consequences for many organizations in the state that provide critical social services, including the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project at UIS.

An article in the July 14, 2008, Peoria Journal Star quotes co-director Larry Golden as saying that while the project stands to lose a small amount compared to other groups, the state money is nevertheless a vital part of its funding. "This is really a very critical time…because there's no other group that has it as a significant part of its work," said Golden.

Download a pdf file of the article

20080714-PJS-StateBudgetCutsHurt.pdf

Oldfield is author of study on socioeconomic status and admission decisions

An article in the July 10, 2008, Daily Texan reported on a study conducted by Kenneth Oldfield, UIS professor emeritus of Public Administration.

Oldfield found that while schools are federally mandated to evaluate applicants to graduate programs based on race and ethnicity, few institutions also consider an applicant's economic status.

Download a pdf file of the article

20080710-DT-StudyonSocioeconomicStatus.pdf

Wheeler thinks impeachment is unlikely

Speculation on the possibility that Gov. Rod Blagojevich will be impeached is widespread; however Charles Wheeler, UIS Professor and Director of Public Affairs Reporting, thinks that won't happen.

Wheeler says, in his opinion, the Governor should be more concerned about the federal investigation into corruption in Illinois government. Wheeler's comments appeared in an article published in the June 13, 2008, Ottawa Times.

Download a pdf file of the article

20080613-OT-ImpeachmentNotCertain.pdf

Wheeler quoted in article on "unconstitutional" budget

Illinois' new budget increases state spending without increasing revenue and is therefore unconstitutional, according to Gov. Rod Blagojevich. While the Governor has not vetoed the budget, he has announced his intention to call legislative leaders together to resume work on it.

In an article in the June 3, 2008, Harrisburg Daily Register, UIS Director of Public Affairs Reporting Charles Wheeler said he could not recall another such instance in which legislators had so"deliberately and publicly approved an unbalanced budget."

Download a pdf file of the article

20080603-HDR-UnbalancedBudget.pdf

Wheeler sees no "win-win situation" for Republicans

State Republicans are hoping to gain some political advantage in the wake of Democratic fundraiser Antoin Rezko's recent conviction on corruption charges and the ongoing federal investigations into the administration of Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

However an article that appeared in the June 6, 2008, Chicago Daily Herald quoted UIS Director of Public Affairs Reporting Charles Wheeler as noting that this is "not totally a win-win situation" for Republicans.

Download a pdf file of the article

20080606-CDH-GOPlooksforpoliticalmileage.pdf

Mooney cited in article on Governor's re-election plans

Many across the state are wondering whether Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, in the face of possible legal troubles, will follow the precedent set by former Gov. George Ryan and choose not to run for re-election.

An article on the subject appeared in the May 20, 2008, NWI Times. In the article, UIS professor of Political Science Chris Mooney notes that while conventional wisdom says that Blagojevich's political career may be over, "in politics, you never know."

Download a pdf file of the article

20080520-NWI-GovReelection.pdf

Redfield quoted in article on consequences of Obama candidacy for state GOP

Many Republicans in Illinois are worrying that if Barack Obama wins the Democratic nomination for president, it could hurt the chances of Republicans running for a variety of state offices.

An article published in the May 19, 2008, Chicago Daily Herald quotes Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of Political Studies at UIS, on the possible consequences of an Obama candidacy for the state GOP.

Download a pdf file of the article

20080519-CDH-ObamaTicket.pdf

Article on passage of contributions bill quotes Mooney

In response to increasing public concern on ethics issues, the Illinois Senate prepared to vote on a bill outlawing political contributions from state contractors.

Chris Mooney, UIS professor of Political Science, was quoted in a May 15, 2008, article in St. Louis Today on the unusual situation that made passage of the bill likely.

Download a pdf file of the article

20080515-STL-Contributions.pdf

Mooney quoted in article on Senate bill

A bill outlawing political contributions from state contractors seemed certain to pass the Illinois Senate.

An article by Kevin McDermott that appeared in the Bloomington Pantagraph on May 15, 2008, quoted Chris Mooney, UIS professor of Political Science, on the unusual turn of events.

Download a pdf of the article

20080515-Pantagraph-Contributions.pdf