As candidates for governor, treasurer, U.S. senate, state legislature, etc… start to posture and preen for your vote, you should be prepared to vet them very thoroughly if you meet them or their supporters.  The lack of vetting by Illinois voters becomes apparent every time disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich is seen on a late night talk show.

This is going to be an interesting election because races are being aggressively challenged.  There are at least 10 candidates for Lt. Governor alone and that isn’t even a job with any real power.

But with considerable respect to all of the candidates who will be on the ballot in Illinois in 2010, the only three races with real power to impact the Chicago Tech Community are for Governor, Illinois Treasurer and, believe it or not, Cook County Board President.  Legislators, whether they are national or state, can provide a vote.  That’s it.  They can help shape an agenda.  They can lobby and twist their colleague’s arms.  But, at the end of the day, they have one vote. So, you need to look at the executive branch races to find a “difference maker” for the Chicago Tech Community.  (more…)

On January 29, 2009, Milorad “Rod” Blagojevich, the 40th Governor of the State of Illinois was removed from office.  On January 14th of this year, he was impeached by the Illinois House of Representatives.  He was then quickly removed from office after an Illinois Senate trial that started on January 26th.  The final vote was 59 to 0.

It’s been a foregone conclusion that Blagojevich would be removed from office since he was arrested by the FBI on conspiracy charges on December 9, 2008.  His exit starts the end of an incredibly embarrassing period in Illinois government.  The Blagojevich saga has provided almost daily  fodder for national political pundits and comedians.  In a certain sense, it hit “the big-time” and  “rock bottom” simultaneously when the Governor’s antics were parodied on Saturday Night Live.

But, ChicagoTechNews.com is not a gossip column, or an Op-Ed tabloid.  It is designed for serious, credible, legible, public discourse.  So, what does “Blago’s” exit really mean for the Chicago technology community?  My guess is it is probably going to be good – or at least start an era of improved state governance. (more…)