WisPolitics Budget Blog

Just when we thought everyone who could be indicted in Illinois was already indicted in Illinois, another shoe drops. So many shoes have dropped that the sound of all that thumping is causing migraines across the state line here in Wisconsin. (story)

The former IL House Minority Leader’s ex-Chief of Staff was indicted on charges of using state employees for campaign work on state time and steering $1.3 million in taxpayer dollars to benefit a political insider's real estate project.

Why is this latest indictment significant in Wisconsin?

Sidebar; The U.S. Attorney in Chicago has issued more than 60 indictments that began with the Safe Roads Investigation; a CDL-For-Sale scandal that made headlines when 6 children were killed in a tragic crash caused by a trucker who illegally obtained his license from then-Secretary of State George Ryan.

The crash occurred in Wisconsin – more ironic than significant.

The significance is how government corruption in Illinois is reaching into Wisconsin with the indictment of Nick Hurtgen.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has notched more than 50 convictions; a batting average of .833 for a guy who, not being a native, cannot be accused of hidden agendas or political pay-backs.

Fitzgerald has been fearless and bold at leveraging the politicians’ love for power. His use of wire-taps and cooperation agreements from those indicted and/or convicted will reach deep into Wisconsin’s political culture.

Hurtgen was nabbed by uber-insider colleague Don Udsten, ex-head of the IL Medical Society, who agreed to wear a body wire. Udsten himself was nabbed by a body wire worn by fellow super-insider Roger The Hog Stanley.

That’s an ugly image of spent duct tape and back hair.

The significance is, super-insiders are rolling on each other like alley balls at the local Drink and Bowl.

The significance is, what will Tristano corroborate against Hurtgen, to save himself?

The significance is, who is being targeted in Wisconsin, in exchange for Hurtgen saving himself?