2008 Woodie Awards
Blagojevich faces tough choices in budget speech
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News Briefs
Facing perhaps his most difficult State of the State address yet, Gov. Rod Blagojevich has gone silent, offering no hints about what programs he will tout or new ideas he'll float.
But the silence ends Wednesday, when the Chicago Democrat must spell out his proposals on a long list of concerns facing Illinois.
His administration is offering few insights about which governor will show up.
Unlike previous years, Blagojevich's office wouldn't discuss even general themes the governor plans to discuss or drop hints about new ideas he planned to promote.
"We're acutely aware of the economic climate and we're going to focus on how to make life easier on Illinois families," is all that spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch would say about the governor's plans.
The administration even delayed its usual briefings with the media and lawmakers the day before the speech, pushing them back instead until Wednesday morning. Rausch said the briefings were being delayed because the governor's office hadn't finished preparing the material.
The high level of secrecy has raised suspicions at the state Capitol, where lobbyists and lawmakers are eagerly awaiting what Blagojevich wants to do.
But the silence ends Wednesday, when the Chicago Democrat must spell out his proposals on a long list of concerns facing Illinois.
His administration is offering few insights about which governor will show up.
Unlike previous years, Blagojevich's office wouldn't discuss even general themes the governor plans to discuss or drop hints about new ideas he planned to promote.
"We're acutely aware of the economic climate and we're going to focus on how to make life easier on Illinois families," is all that spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch would say about the governor's plans.
The administration even delayed its usual briefings with the media and lawmakers the day before the speech, pushing them back instead until Wednesday morning. Rausch said the briefings were being delayed because the governor's office hadn't finished preparing the material.
The high level of secrecy has raised suspicions at the state Capitol, where lobbyists and lawmakers are eagerly awaiting what Blagojevich wants to do.
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