Over the Memorial Day weekend, Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson (R- Greenville) co-authored a letter to the Blagojevich Administration requesting the release of a Goldman Sachs report that reportedly substantiated the claim that the Governor’s idea to sell or lease the state Lottery could net $10 billion.

Leader Watson’s letter comes on the heels of:

• An independent lottery consultant voicing his belief to several media outlets that lottery vendors will not pay $10 billion for the rights to the Lottery;
• A letter from House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) to Democrat legislators and the Governor seeking more detailed information about the plan -- including verification of the $10 billion figure; this letter was sent shortly after Leader Watson’s request; and
• Numerous media reports and editorials questioning the substance, motive, and viability of the proposal. 

Senator Rutherford says the Governor’s office refused to release the document, claiming it would negatively affect future bidding processes.

In other news, the first of several hearings about the proposed lease of the Illinois Tollway was held on May 31. Several Senate Republicans attended the hearing in Chicago to get initial details on how a potential lease deal would be carried out. There are at least three more hearings scheduled throughout the state over the summer.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Lisa Madigan was called upon to investigate the hiring practices of the Blagojevich Administration at a press conference initiated by State Senator Bill Brady (R- Bloomington) on June 1. The request comes in the wake of recent media reports that the Governor’s office allegedly oversaw and promoted the hiring of political insiders to state jobs.

In addition to this query, Brady would like to know how potentially vital evidence and information is being protected in the event illegal activity has already been committed. This step was taken after a former employee of the Blagojevich Administration told the media she had been instructed to delete files involving campaign contributors and hiring.

Legislation signed into law last week included:

Speed limits (SB 509) – Establishes special speed limits for park zones where children are present.

Veterans’ healthcare (SB 627) - Creates the Veterans’ Health Insurance Program to give qualified uninsured veterans reasonable access to healthcare.

Film tax credit (SB 2030) – Extends the Film Production Services Tax Credit Act from January 1, 2007 to Jan. 1, 2008.

Antique Vehicles (SB 2252)- Creates the Secretary of State Antique Vehicle Show Fund to promote and produce the annual show.

Behavioral support (SB 2254)– Creates an individualized behavioral support plan for individuals with developmental disabilities who exhibit behavioral challenges in a community-based residential program. 

Mortgages (SB 2349)– Creates the Mortgage Rescue Fraud Act requiring distressed property consultants to provide a written contract listing all services. It also provides an owner a right to cancel a contract up until all services are performed, and prohibits a consultant from receiving payment until all services are performed.

Quitclaims (SB 2569)– Mandates that counties develop a system to notify owners in the filing of a quitclaim deed on their homes.

Highway Safety (SB 2650)– Ensures a portion of the revenue from construction zone speeding tickets, given on roads other then interstate highways, is deposited into a county’s Transportation Safety Highway Hire-back Fund.

Dogs (HB 4711)– Increases the penalty for attending a dog fight, soliciting a minor to attend a dog fight, and for a minor younger than 13 being present at a dog fight. (HB 2946) – Prohibits certain felons from possessing a dog that is not spayed or neutered. (HB 4238) – Eliminates a limitation on fines in excess of $50 for dogs running at large and provides that if the owner of a dog knowingly allows it to run at large and the dog inflicts serious physical injury, or death to a person, the owner is guilty of a Class 3 felony.