WisPolitics Budget Blog

IL State Fair

It's gonna be an entertaining primary, assuming former Governor Jim Edgar ignores Karl Rove's pressure to jump in and clear the field...

Plea for GOP unity in gov's race falls flat

In one of the more dramatic and strange moments of the campaign, Oberweis turned to Kjellander, who was seated about 10 feet behind him, and urged Kjellander to give up his positions as Republican national committeeman and treasurer of the Republican National Committee.

…Oberweis' move drew a smattering of applause from the sparse crowd of GOP faithful as Kjellander sat, his fingers knitted together, alternately shaking his head, grinning, scowling and looking up to the sky. When Oberweis returned to his seat, Kjellander glared, his eyes following every step.

…Kjellander also generated controversy by getting more than $800,000 in consulting fees from Bear Stearns for lobbying work associated with a $10 billion pension fund refinancing undertaken in 2003 by Blagojevich's administration. Bear Stearns wound up with $8 million in state business under that borrowing deal.

…Illinois House Minority Leader Tom Cross called for Kjellander's resignation earlier this week. But the Oswego Republican buttonholed Kjellander after the rally Thursday to assure him it was not personal.