State Of Illinois Still Trying To Buy Wrigley Field

by Al on Dec 10, 2008 6:23 PM CST in News Comment 26 comments

Among the colorful language used in the complaint filed against Gov. Rod Blagojevich yesterday (link opens .pdf file) were the words of the governor's wife Patti, who is alleged to have been heard in the background, while Rod was on the phone discussing ways to get back at the Tribune for writing negative editorials about him, saying:

"to hold up that fucking Cubs shit. . . fuck them."

Now, normally I don't like using profanity on this site, but obviously, that isn't me saying it, and I think it's important to see the cavalier attitude taken by both Blagojeviches on the issue of the Cubs sale -- particularly since Rod claims to be such a big Cubs fan. (I guess Patti isn't. And Rod ought to have his Cub fan credentials revoked.)

photo via www.destination360.com

I bring this up because in today's Sun-Times, there appeared an article claiming that the Illinois Finance Authority is still interested in buying Wrigley Field, and its chairman William Brandt is quoted in the article:

"I heard from the governor's office as recently as yesterday [Monday]," Brandt said. "The governor's office said this is a good thing for Illinois, please go forward with it."

Monday? The day before Rod was arrested? This wasn't a good idea in the first place and it's an even worse one now, with state government in turmoil. Let's hope that the "at least" three buyers who have put in bids for the Cubs as of late November, have bids in for both the team and the ballpark. There's no doubt that Wrigley Field does need renovations to keep it going for the near and far future, but we don't need state government involved, especially after yesterday's revelations.

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There was a report in one of the papers yesterday

that at least one of bidders was FURIOUS and said the Cubs were doing it behind their back. Not a good way to go
ahead with a sale.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Dec 10, 2008 6:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Got a link?

I agree completely.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 10, 2008 6:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Jeez don't you TRUST ME ?

Now I had to go spend time finding it.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-tue-cubs-blagodec09,0,6759558.story

Here is the important part.

"A financial adviser for one Cubs bidder said he was stunned to learn that Tribune Co. was negotiating a separate Wrigley deal, even as it asked for new bids for the package of sports holdings.

“I thought things had hit rock bottom yesterday,” the adviser said Tuesday. “Now [Tribune Co. is] part of a criminal investigation. What else is going to happen?”

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Dec 10, 2008 6:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Of course I trust you.

But I thought everyone else would want to read the link.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 10, 2008 7:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

BTW Al, kudos in putting in the whole word quote

bleeping it just doesn’t do justice to the attitude of how Mell’s protege just doesn’t have any respect for the shrine of baseball.

If she faces a jury (or he) the lawyers better make certain no BCB’ers are in the box.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Dec 10, 2008 8:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought it had to be said and was important to the story.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 10, 2008 8:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Can you imagine the questioning for the potential jurors?

…and one final question sir/maam, “are you a Chicago Cubs fan?”

Reply: “Yes, yes I am! I have been since the day I was born. My parents are Cubs fans, my grandparents are, gees the whole family is. Why?”

“Thank you for your time, we’ll be in contact with you.”

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 11, 2008 6:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Let's see...

the state is broke, the economy is in the toilet and our governor is the butt of jokes worldwide. Hey, State of Illinois, let’s buy Wrigley Field. The state has as much business buying Wrigley Field as I have buying Lincoln Park Zoo.

by ChicagoRobb on Dec 10, 2008 6:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wow

This guy gets sleazier and sleazier by the moment.

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Dec 10, 2008 6:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Deputy "A" resigns

Deputy Gov. Bob Greenlee has just resigned. He was the one responsible for helping to shake down Trib over the Cubs. Here is the quote

“Greenlee later told Blagojevich that the owner of the Tribune — Sam Zell — "will say that he does not have anything to do with the editorials, but I would tell him, ‘look, if you want to get your Cubs thing done get rid of this Tribune,’” according to the complaint."

Gee I am now proud to live in a state where all our Gov. did was sleep with high priced hookers.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Dec 10, 2008 7:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

+ 50000

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Dec 10, 2008 11:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

meh, pardon my friend, but Governor Blagojevich is an asshole

I honestly don’t see any good qualities in him..

"Charles Tillman is one of the best strippers in the NFL" - John Madden 11/30/08 Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game

by Chanman25 on Dec 10, 2008 7:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Nor do I.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 10, 2008 7:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

new nickname

“Blag the self-impaler”

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Dec 10, 2008 8:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Perfect!

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 10, 2008 8:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

2 or 3 years ago...

after a Cubs game, me & 2 friends were walking back beyond the Wrigley backstop and saw the governor standing in the aisle taking photos with fans. My two friends, who lived in Chicago, recognized him and said, hey let’s go get a photo with the governor. Being from out-of-state, I had never heard of him, nor seen him before, so I offered to take the photo, because I couldn’t have cared less about being in a pic with him. After he posed for the pic, he then asked me if I wanted a pic with him, which I nicely replied with “No thanks, I’m good”. He abruptly told his handlers to get him out of there, which they did, even though there were still a few people waiting to get a pic with him. My friends then started laughing at me, joking that I pissed off the governor after a Cubs game.

Now that’s he’s in this mess now, I kinda regret my snubbing of him…. that would be a funny photo now.

by MillsChC on Dec 11, 2008 2:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually...

… this little incident seems to sum him up pretty well. If you’re willing to gladhand with him, get your pic taken, he’s Mr. Friendly. If not, he has no use for you.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 11, 2008 9:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

GOVERNOR WHO ????

Blagojevich only had his pockets in line ..He could have cared less for the Cubs or Wrigley …..Sad to have to bring baseball into it ….

by cubs north on Dec 10, 2008 7:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

...and what about the Tribune?

If the allegations are to be believed then we have a company trying to get the State to help them avoid paying taxes? Anyone doubt that Zell would not have cleaned out the entire editorial board for an alleged $100 million in tax avoidance? Balgo’s actions are despicable and I put Zell very close second.

by DudeVf11 on Dec 10, 2008 8:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed: I got the feeling Zell's going to get a good going over on this one ..

there’s plenty of crap falling from the sky and the self-anointed “BIG Z” is going to be found having his hand in too many cookie jars on this one.

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Dec 10, 2008 11:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I posted a bunch of exerpts from the indictment concerning Zell and Co.

here. And you’re right. Zell is going to get nailed to the wall on this, I’m afraid.

"Well, we're out of cake! We only had three bits and we didn't expect such a rush! So what do you want?"
"What, so my choice is 'or death?' Well, then I'll have the chicken, please."
--Eddie Izzard

by znohitter on Dec 10, 2008 11:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's never good for the Gov't to run anything

and we’re especially sensitive to with the Cubs being smack dab in the middle of it.

So anyone who’s not sure how much the gov’t can F-things up when they run it, sit back and watch the next few years at the federal level.

I guess I don’t know why this is such a surprise especially coming from the left side. This guy has been under investigation since mid-2005 IIRC and the machine still got him re-elected in 2006.

So what is it about IL governors? This is what, the 4th guy in the last 30 years to be in the dog house?

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 11, 2008 6:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

One of the main problems is that voters in this City continue to re-elect and accept

…the premise that pay to play and corruption are okay. Look at the Hack Harris, does anyone still think that the Mayor of this City isn’t a corrupt hack himself, Harris worked for the guy…But people are happy with cows, and beer guzzling over priced food fests, and potted plants on the parkway…When the very governing essence of this City is woefully corrupt and should be launched in to a jail cell.

by DudeVf11 on Dec 11, 2008 9:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Kenney involved?

pp53 of the criminal complaint. Kenney is the Cubs Chairman, correct?

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 11, 2008 1:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Here's the passage you're talking about.

On December 3, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH spoke again with Sports Consultant and explained that ROD BLAGOJEVICH had control over state funds designated for use in connection with science and technology, and which could be used to pay for improvements at Wrigley Field. Later that same day, ROD BLAGOJEVICH spoke with Cubs Chairman and said that he could make state science and technology funds available to the Cubs without having to go through the legislature, and suggested that the Cubs come up with proposals that would allow the use of such funds.

It says only that Rod spoke to Kenney; it doesn’t implicate Kenney in anything illegal.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 11, 2008 1:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs