Business as Usual

Democrats in Springfield, led by Sen. Rickey "Hollywood" Hendon, on Thursday voted to confirm IDOT head Timothy Martin, whose agency is currently under investigation for mismanagement in handling contracts. The Tribune:

Timothy Martin won confirmation on a 31-18 vote--one more than the minimum--after a partisan debate that centered on state Auditor General William Holland's decision to turn over his findings to state and federal authorities.

"It's a questionable message that we send to confirm an individual when he is under this cloud," said Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville).

Democrats, led by Sen. Rickey Hendon of Chicago, dismissed the Republican complaints as partisan grumbling.

"Everything the governor does, they're trying to charge that it's some criminal, underhanded thing going on, when I don't believe that's the case," said Hendon, co-chairman of the Executive Appointments Committee.

Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) said Martin "hasn't been accused of anything." Asked whether he believed Martin has done a good job since Blagojevich appointed him in 2003, Jones said: "Sometimes yes, sometimes no. So I voted for him."

The Democratic caucus supplied all but one vote for Martin, who was confirmed shortly after his 2003 appointment but has been the acting secretary for months while awaiting the typically routine approval for the second half of his tenure in the administration.

Sen. Adeline Geo-Karis, a Zion Republican who co-chairs the appointments committee, voted for Martin.

"He's not a thief," she said. "He should be given a chance to clean up his department."

One of the recipients of questionable contracts was a former legislator. Geo-Karis was defeated in the Republican primary last week, so she's on her way out. A few days ago, Democrats had suggested the Illinois Beach state park should be named after her. Guess she likes the idea. Republican voters scored one against business as usual. We've got a long way to go.