Hiding from the Public

The next debate for GOP candidates for governor will be held this Friday in Champaign at 8 pm and PBS is supposedly broadcasting as well (Channel 11 currently doesn't have it scheduled).

Judy Baar Topinka is the only candidate NOT participating.

Perhaps she doesn't want to talk about this in the Sun Times today: "Topinka donation from investor's firm hit".

The hotel investment group took out a $15.5 million state construction loan. But the balance of that loan has ballooned to more than $27.5 million because of a controversial 1991 pact that allows the consortium to make loan payments when the hotel turns a profit, which it rarely does.

Topinka once offered to write off most of the hotel loan for Cellini, Cullinan and their fellow investors, but that move was blocked by then-Attorney General Jim Ryan.

And a Democrat debate looks unlikely, as Gov. Blagojevich is not interested.

The primary election is March 21st.