Blagojevich Back At Work, Signs Autism Bill

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has shown up for work every day since he was arrested on federal corruption charges Tuesday and signed a bill into law Friday.

From the AP:

Embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is still conducting state business even though there have been numerous calls for him to resign and a request was made to the state Supreme Court to strip him of his powers.

His office released a statement today that said he had signed a bill that would give insurance coverage to parents of children with autism.

Just hours earlier, Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan asked the state Supreme Court to prevent Blagojevich from serving as governor.

He was arrested Tuesday on federal corruption charges.

Lawmakers also have demanded that Blagojevich be impeached.

He has defiantly ignored the pressure, showing up for work every day since his arrest.

From the governor's press release:

Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed Senate Bill 934 into law, providing insurance coverage to parents of children with autism. The new law, which received overwhelming support from the Illinois General Assembly, will provide coverage for all individuals under age 21 for the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) up to $36,000 per year.

"Families of children with autism have a right to access the treatment their children need and today that has finally become a reality in Illinois," said Governor Blagojevich. "I have continued to fight for this cause and I am pleased to sign this bill into law today."

Comments

[Okieborn]

05:38 PM on 12/13/2008

Hey Gov. Blagojevich call President Bush !!
He is handing out Pardons like santa with candy at a xmas parade !!!!

[MNmommy]

01:58 PM on 12/13/2008

So, he's taking care of kids with autism, great, now what about the children with mental illness?

[jawolk]

04:39 PM on 12/13/2008

Already done. Illinois already has mandated coverage of mental illness by insurance companies. Same for California, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Virginia. The autism legislation is just another step in the right direction.

[PerryWhite]

04:44 AM on 12/13/2008

Shouldn't he give the parents free bus rides, too?

[ReelBusy]

01:36 AM on 12/13/2008

Great, now those autistic kids owe Blago $75,000.

[Bobleblah1]

08:18 PM on 12/12/2008

This is a shakedown, plain and simple
I am no fan of Gov Blagojevich but until someone convicts him in a court of LAW,
calling for him to step down is not reasonable. I would look to see who is screaming the loudest
to have him removed, then I would focus lots of attention on that person and their affiliations.
Who is putting them up to it, as well as what is to be gained by their prognostications. Straw men aside, getting to the heart of this is not going to be complicated for someone who deals in reality. (whatever that is)

Secondly: If I was Jessie Jackson Jr, I would strangle Rahm Emanuel.
That little weasel is without a doubt using his friends in the media to try and steer the taint of this scandal towards Jackson. Was it Emanuel or Jackson who gave the Governor an actual list of names??
Oh! by the way, who are the names on that list? Thats your list of conspirators.
Gov Blagojevich has that list as well and its a good thing for him, because it enables him to clearly know where to focus his rage. The people on that list are who he should be preparing to do battle with, both in the court of public opinion and more importantly in Chicago.

[WarriorLemming]

10:16 PM on 12/12/2008

I think the the audio recording of the Gov. are enough to convince most people that he's guilty to hell with a court of law Blagojevich certainly didn't care about the law, did he? And it would help his case if he wiped that smirk off his face too.

[Palmz]

10:34 PM on 12/12/2008

Blago looks and acts like a straight up "gangsta" and i really don't care for his stupidity

BUT........

I am on record as saying he will walk.

John Harris is the one in a world of hurt.

The Feds case seems very slim with more questions than answers. Why do you think the media is going freaking crazy?

[FaceYourFears]

01:37 AM on 12/13/2008

Very good point! Maybe Blago will come clean and expose all the culprits involved....bring the whole regime down!

[kellygrrrl]

06:21 PM on 12/12/2008

well, at least he's got that going for him

[ebroadcast]

06:20 PM on 12/12/2008

Passing bills that you should be passing - sorry, you don't get kudos for doing the job that you're expected to do. The more that he defies all logic, the more that he continues to make our state government more of a joke than it already is. Everyone who even vaguely knows the on-goings of Illinois politics (I'm from Spfld, IL), knows that it was only a matter fo time before his clown tripped up. What surpised me was how long it took, as well as how blatant hw has been in carrying out this corruption. I think it's a common opinion that he's more than just an arrogant pr*ck, but that he is seriously nuts. I don't care if he needs to be handcuffed and dragged out of office, but he needs to be ousted quickly.

[mjb5406]

05:32 PM on 12/12/2008

It's like most of the bills he's supported... anything to make him look good to seniors, disabled... but not the4 common man (disclaimer: I'm disabled). It's like all of his bills are "photo-ops". Meanwhile, Illinois infrastructure, education, etc. suffers because he can't get his head out of his ass. He's been useless in the past and now is even moreso.