Secret Meetings

Violating who knows how many State laws regarding open meetings:

• In a state where politicians like to brag about government transparency and the budget is alarmingly imploding, the Democratic president of the Illinois Senate on Wednesday decided to bar the public from hearing a national group brief lawmakers on just how bad the financial woes really are.

  The extremely rare closed-door gathering of the entire Senate was held to further a spirit of cooperation between the two political parties, the leaders said. Shut out were voters, potentially curious during an election year about what the people they elected are doing to fix the state's enormous money mess. The Senate sergeant at arms stood in the doorway and denied entry to the public.

  "You're missing the whole point," Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, told reporters. "This is meant to be one where just the senators are there to get information, but where they can also feel they can ask questions and ... have a free exchange of ideas without having to be worried about what the press might report."

So what was discussed?

• Massive tax hikes to balance the budget and fund dwindling pensions? It will be like cutting their own throat as businesses and individuals flee Illinois' already business unfriendly climate.
• Census counting? Illinois may lose a seat in Congress with the population shift. Are deals being struck behind closed doors to keep certain seats in certain hands?
• Blago testimony? Rod's phones were wired up for months, maybe a year before the alleged Senate Seat Swindle. Might some important people be looking at public relation nightmares?

But not to worry about the violations of State law - Lisa Madigan is on the case!