Corrupt Governor Update, VI

Ruh-roh Raggy!

File under: "No one could have predicted..."

Guv's chief of staff resigns

By: Greg Hinz Dec. 12, 2008

(Crain’s) — John Harris, chief of staff to Gov. Rod Blagojevich, has resigned, sources close to the matter reported Friday morning.

Earlier this week, Mr. Harris and the governor were both named in a federal complaint alleging that they attempted to auction off President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat and shake down others for Mr. Blagojevich’s political war chest and personal gain.

Mr. Harris’ resignation comes as Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan was going to the state Supreme Court to force the governor out of office — at least temporarily — and as efforts have stepped up in Springfield to impeach the governor.

There also are widespread rumors — so far denied — that Mr. Blagojevich will resign soon
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So who is John Harris?

Well, once upon a time in a city far, far away...

Daley names O'Hare man as budget director

It wasn't long ago that John Harris was in Mayor Daley's doghouse. But a major scandal and the power vacuum created by a wave of early retirements have a way of wiping the slate clean.

Harris, the brains and voice behind Daley's plan for new runways at O'Hare Airport, was chosen Monday to be Chicago's new $135,516-a-year director of budget and management. He succeeds Bill Abolt, who walked the plank for failing to clean up the hired truck mess.

A former intelligence officer and prosecutor who spent eight years in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the U.S. Army, Harris can match Abolt's intellect. But he also has the toughness and political savvy that Abolt may have lacked.

"He don't take no mess. He's a no-nonsense person who will demand that things be done and they will be done," said Ald. William Beavers (7th), chairman of the City Council's Budget Committee.

Harris is a "better candidate for budget director than Bill Abolt was" because he's served time in two of the biggest-spending departments, said a longtime City Hall observer.

"He knows where all the bodies are buried and where the gun is hidden," the source said.
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Can't really say if he did a good job or a bad job.

Can say, in Illinois politics, there's a club.

And you ain't in it.