Nov 5, 2007 5:45 pm US/Central
Governor Calls For Change In Springfield
Amidst Public Outrage Over Transit Crisis, Blagojevich Calls On Lawmakers To 'Come Together'
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
-
-
While a crowd rallied outside his office to express outrage over the latest temporary fix to the CTA, Governor Rod Blajojevich sent an olive branch to legislative leaders.
CBS
With his job approval rating reaching historic lows and demands for a recall, Governor Rod Blagojevich extended an olive branch on Monday.
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports, the governor sent a letter to legislative leaders calling for a new approach.
At a lunchtime rally outside the governor's office in the Loop, dozens of mass transit riders let it loudly be known that they are not happy with the latest temporary fix of finances for the RTA/CTA engineered by the governor.
"We're just fed up with games," Uptown resident Brian Klinksiek said. "He's been a terrible leader. He's not interested in transit. He's interested in saving it at the last minute and gaining a few points of support."
"I think commuters, they should be angry that he continues to characterize these bailouts as a gift to commuters. I don't think they should be planning on writing any thank you notes any time soon," Brian Imus of the Illinois Public Interest Research Group said.
In the face of that growing public anger, the governor hinted at a new approach to legislators he's been battling for five years.
In a letter to leaders of the General Assembly, Blagojevich said, "We must all be willing to come together, put past differences aside, and work in good faith."
While those are words he's mouthed many times before, transit officials are optimistic he means it this time.
"We'd like to get our attention off of Springfield and back on managing a transit system and providing the best transit service that we can," Steve Schlickman, RTA executive director, said.
The governor's press staff said he's going to Springfield Tuesday to meet with legislative leaders in an effort to live up to the promise they all made to craft a long-term transit funding solution by next Monday.
cbs2chicago.com's Most Popular Pages
Slideshow: 90s TV Stars Then And Now Slideshow: Halloween, Hollywood-Style Slideshow: Useless Body Parts Slideshow: In To Be Out: Gay Celebrities Slideshow: Did You Know? Stars From Chicago!
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments