In an ironic twist, according to Kay, Hoffman would be precluded from taking this money under his own ethics proposal, which Hoffman introduced as House Bill 6699 just two weeks ago.

“Mr. Hoffman has voted to stand by the Governor and his veto of House Bill 824, the comprehensive ethics reform proposal supported by Barack Obama, nearly a dozen ‘good government’ groups and 110 state legislators,” said Kay. “His only response is that I should support his proposal on ethics reform. But, in hypocrisy that can only be created in Springfield, Mr. Hoffman’s campaign records show he can’t even live up to his own proposals.”

A study of the campaign finance records of the Committee to Elect Jay Hoffman shows his campaign has harvested hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations from the same contractors Hoffman has proposed to ban from giving to state legislative campaigns.

“Hoffman and Blagojevich are ‘peas in a pod’ when it comes to unethical fundraising,” said Kay. “Mr. Hoffman’s campaign against me is likely to be just like Governor Blagojevich’s 2006 campaign, a negative assault fueled by pay-to-pay fundraising on steroids. If Hoffman has any decency, he should ‘walk the walk’ on his own ethics proposal, instead of just being ‘all talk’ on the issue.”

Even worse, 125 of the contractors are major IDOT and State Tollway contractors, representing a major conflict of interest for Hoffman, who serves as House Transportation Committee Chairman.

“I don’t care if you call it ‘Pay-to-Play’ or ‘Pay-to-Pave’ politics, it’s just wrong,” said Kay.  “It’s time for Mr. Hoffman to come clean and inform the voters whether or not he is being investigated by federal prosecutors.”

The path of House Bill 824 has met significant hurdles in 2007 and 2008, including a 14-month delay in the Illinois Senate where Blagojevich-ally Emil Jones refused to call the legislation for a vote despite the fact that 42 of 59 Senators were co-sponsors. Then, in what Comptroller Dan Hynes called an effort “not to strengthen it… but to kill it,” Governor Blagojevich vetoed the legislation and added language outside the bipartisan compromise of the landmark legislation.

A poll of 112^th District voters from mid-June showed more than 65 percent of voters wanted legislators to form the special impeachment committee (poll attached).  Voters in the 112^th District supported the actual impeachment of the Governor by a more than 2:1 margin.

“Jay Hoffman is the lead-defender of the Governor.  His relationship with Rod Blagojevich makes him incapable of representing voters on what is likely to be the biggest issue in front of the General Assembly in 2009,” said Kay.

In July, Kay launched a website, ImpeachTheGov.com, which has collected more than 1,300 signatures in favor of impeachment, a majority from within the 112^th District.

“The Governor’s conduct – whether trying to impose the Gross Receipts Tax, side-step the legislature on healthcare expansion, shielding himself from new ethics reforms, or refusing to answer for the multitude of unethical practices – has been an embarrassment to Illinois.  He has tried to rule as a dictator and has lost the confidence of the public, the legislature, and even his own party,” said Kay.

Kay said that there are plenty of issue-based reasons for impeachment, plus the ongoing investigations into Pay-to-Play fundraising practices and the Blagojevich and Hoffman connections talked about in the prosecution of Tony Rezko.

“Hoffman is admittedly one of his closest advisors and friends,” said Kay.  “If the Governor’s possible impeachment or indictment looks to be the most important issue in 2009, Hoffman is simply not qualified or impartial enough to represent the voters of the 112^th District.”

Kay says there is more than enough evidence to start the first step: an impeachment investigation.

“If elected, the first item I will file in January will be a resolution to start a formal impeachment investigation,” said Kay.  “If voters choose Jay Hoffman in November, our representative will instead spend next term as the Governor’s chief defender.  It’s the most important difference between us.”

Kay accused Hoffman of failing to support HB 824, which passed the House last week 110-3. Hoffman voted against overriding Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s veto of that bill. It would have banned state contractors who obtain state contracts of more than $50,000 from donating to statewide candidates and current statewide office holders.

Hoffman did so, Kay said, “to protect the governor so he can continue to raise money from state contractors.” He added, “I would think he’s supporting the governor’s real wish and that was to not really ever have ethics legislation.”

Hoffman called that an outright lie. He voted to override it because the bill excluded the legislative branch. “If he were being truthful, which he is not, he would support HB 699, which I introduced,” Hoffman said. “It applies to the executive and legislative branches.”

The ethics bill passed on Wednesday but an aide to Senate President Emil Jones says the senate won’t vote on the measure until its next scheduled session, on Nov. 12. That creates a problem since veto bills must be considered within 15 days or they’re dead. But Jones spokesperson Cindy Davidsmeyer says that means 15 days after the Senate holds its next meeting.

This week Kay also fired a salvo at Hoffman for his ties to Tom Lakin, who founded the Wood River law firm where Hoffman works part time. “The question is, who does Mr. Hoffman work for? The Lakin Law Firm, the governor, or the people? He sits on the House Judiciary Committee and much of what he does on that committee can directly impact the Lakin Law Firm, and that’s an unconscionable conflict of interest.”

The firm, Kay alleged, has been “the leader of a very special interest niche of law, fueled and funded by fees from class action lawsuits, that has brought disgrace to our region and court system.”

Said Hoffman: “It’s a ridiculous statement. I have never voted on a piece of legislation that has had a direct impact on any firm I’ve ever worked for.”

The legislature, he said, is supposed to be made up of ordinary citizens. There are teachers who hold positions on education committees and farmers who sit on agriculture committees, for example. “There are a vast array of people, and the majority of legislators are lawyers. We don’t tell an attorney not to practice law.”

Kay, a claims adjuster at Cassens Transport, in Edwardsville, “has an axe to grind” in the area of workers compensation claims, and “a personal vendetta against attorneys,” Hoffman said.

The attacks on him this week stem from Kay’s lack of legislative experience and lack of ideas, Hoffman said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

“It’s more than just the fact that Tom Lakin and Gary Peel now have the word ‘guilty’ permanently attached to their legacies, but the fact that Mr. Hoffman continues a financial relationship with a special interest firm - a personal injury and class action law firm - while serving on the House Judiciary Committee is an unconscionable conflict of interest,” said Kay.  “Especially after last week’s recent guilty plea, now is the time for State Representative Jay Hoffman to sever ties with the firm and choose his constituents over his paycheck.”

Hoffman, who is only a part-time legislator, has never disclosed his salary or duties with the Lakin Law Firm, the firm he had joined by 2003, despite calls to do so in 2006.  Meanwhile, Hoffman continually makes votes as a member of the House Judiciary Committee on issues effecting the outcome of litigation for the clients of the Lakin firm and the citizens and businesses they sue.”

“Mr. Hoffman continues to represent the Lakin Law Firm and Governor Blagojevich, when his full-time job SHOULD be representing the constituents of the 112^th District,” said Kay.  “Even worse, lawsuits, investigations and convictions seem to follow many of Mr. Hoffman’s political allies.”

Kay said Hoffman showed again this week why he is incapable of continuing to represent his constituents in Springfield, voting against a veto override of the bipartisan comprehensive ethics reform bill.  Hoffman was one of only three “no” votes, compared to 110 “yes” votes.

“Voters should fire Mr. Hoffman for his refusal to support this ethics legislation,” Kay said.

Kay said the Lakin Law Firm has been the leader of a very special interest niche of law, fueled and funded by fees from class action lawsuits, that has brought disgrace to our region and court system.  Kay says it’s insulting to his constituents that Mr. Hoffman continues to take money from the Lakin Law Firm while serving as State Representative.

“Ethics are a real problem for Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Blagojevich,” said Kay.  “They take votes and make decisions based on their personal paychecks and campaign account balances, rather than their constituents’ views.  Worse, they’ve become obstructionists for finding a new way in Springfield.”

“I commend the bi-partisan support in the Illinois House for having the courage to put Illinois one step closer to end the culture of corruption,” said Kay.  “I encourage the Illinois Senate to pass this ethics bill immediately.  It’s not fair for the taxpayers to wait any longer; the cost of corruption is hurting our state.”

HB 824 would ban state contractors who obtain state contracts of $50,000 or more from donating to both statewide candidates and current statewide officeholders.On April 27, 2008, the Chicago Tribune released a story on donations to Governor Blagojevich. 

According to the Tribune, of 235 donations to Governor Blagojevich, 175 donations came from individuals, businesses, and various other groups which benefited by obtaining either state contracts, board appointments, and policy decisions.

“It’s no wonder Jay Hoffman voted against the ethics bill, Mr. Hoffman is simply voting to protect the Governor so he can continue to raise money from state contractors,” said Kay.  “I have spoken to thousands of concerned citizens throughout the 112^th district; the cost of corruption is hurting their pocketbook.  The citizens of this district want more jobs, property tax relief, and they want ethics reform, not a game of monopoly where Jay Hoffman and the Governor bankrupt the state.”

The Senate has two weeks to approve HB 824 or else ethics reform will not become law.

Since first elected in 1992, Hoffman has abandoned his blue collar, conservative-leaning constituency and has morphed into a Blagojevich Chicago-lite liberal. Blagojevich and Hoffman’s close friendship go back to the early 90s, when the two freshman House members from opposite ends of the state were room- and office-mates in Springfield. Through the years, Hoffman has raised almost $800,000 for the governor.

Now Hoffman is the governor’s point man in the Illinois House, and often conveys the governor’s viewpoint in legislative floor debate. He wedges solidly between Blagojevich’s arch enemy House Speaker Mike Madigan and a governor with historically-low approval ratings. Many wonder just how proned Madigan would be to sending in forces to help a weakened Hoffman.

Fresh off two victorious southern Illinois regional campaigns serving as finance committee chairman for Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier in 2004 and volunteering for Circuit Court Judge Steve McGlynn in 2006, Hoffman’s Republican challenger Dwight Kay, 61, knows how to win political campaigns.

“We were excited to have a part in starting reform in the state’s judicial branch,” Kay said. “With Hoffman’s connections to the governor and questions of ethics surrounding the incumbent, it was clear he had to be challenged in the 112th District.”

Kay began talking to the people of the district, and their responses encouraged him even more to take a run at Hoffman’s seat.

“Government in Illinois is broken, it doesn’t work anymore,” Kay said. “The folks in the district tell me government used to be good, then it became bad, and now there’s no government at all. That just shows you the lack of hope people in the 112th District have right now. They’re ready for something different.”

Not only have voters in the Metro-East district lost hope, they’ve focused blame on Governor Blagojevich.

A recent poll by Ask Illinois indicated 65% in the 112th District wants the Illinois House form a committee to investigate impeachment proceedings against Governor Blagojevich. An overwhelming 56% polled said they want Blagojevich out of office.

Pretty stunning poll numbers from a district who is represented by the Governor’s best friend, Kay said.

“After walking door-to-door throughout the 112th district, it’s no surprise to hear how unhappy
people are with this Governor,” said Kay. “I hear it every day. The leadership in Springfield–including the Governor– has broken our trust. The corrupt leadership has led to high property
taxes; high utility bills, massive state pension debt, and is ultimately the sole reason why a
capital bill will not pass in the legislature, simply because nobody trusts Governor Blagojevich
except my opponent.”

Hoffman’s years as a politician and his part-time affiliation with one of Madison County’s most lucrative trial attorney firms has taken him out of the circles of his Metro-East voters, attached him to Chicago politicians and provided a stark contrast to Kay’s local, private sector work experience.

Over the past 35 years, Kay’s worked his way up from loading dockman to senior vice-president of Cassens Trucking, one of Glen Carbon’s larger area employers. Kay says Blagojevich’s economic policies have made it harder and harder to keep small businesses in the state. Trucking fees and fuel taxes have made it tougher for area employers like Cassens Trucking to make ends meet.

“The Democrats’ policies are driving trucking businesses to bordering states and out of Illinois,” Kay said. “When businesses move, we lose jobs and the state loses revenue. The answer is not to raise taxes on the businesses that stay here. We need to be able to re-invest in new equipment. We need the funds collected to go where they’re supposed to go. Good roads make our business more profitable.”

But it all comes back to the basic question of ethics, Kay said.

“When questions arise about whether a business has to pay-to-play, it affects getting reputable new businesses to come to the state,” Kay said. “No one can trust the governor now, and when Jay Hoffman is listed as one of the Governor’s kitchen cabinet, it’s not a good thing.”

Last week, Kay became the first GOP candidate to call for impeachment proceedings to begin in the Illinois House by launching Impeachthegov.com, a petition website calling for a bi-partisan commission to look into allegations and whether they would constitute the serious nature that could lead to the governor’s impeachment.

Calling for the investigation is not making a judgement, Kay said, it is to find the truth about what’s been going on in the Blagojevich administration. Unasked and unanswered questions about the governor and Hoffman’s dealings could be costing Illinoisans billions each year.

“A corruption tax costs everyone,” he said.

So what exactly would Kay do to change the budget situation?

“We’d need to investigate the current system of doling out state contracts, ask ourselves why we’re in debt as a state,” Kay said. “ We’d check for redundancies and reset priorities. That’s what we do in the private sector when financial difficulties come up.”

Kay says he will continue knocking on doors until November 4, with hopes of visiting a majority of the district’s voters.

“So many of the people in the 112th District are suffering with gas prices as they are. One woman fears she’ll lose her job soon because she can only afford to drive to work four days a week.

“When she said that, it really hit home how much people are suffering now, waiting for gas prices to go back down. They need relief now, for them it’s crucial,” Kay said.

The 112th, which includes Collinsville and Glen Carbon, has been open to visits from their legislative candidate for the most part. Most tell Kay they’ve never met anyone who represents them at the state or national Capitol. When they ask him his opinion on issues faces voters, he responds with conservative positions on both social and fiscal topics. He’s been endorsed by the United Republican Fund as one of their eight candidates in the 2008 election.

“Dwight Kay’s race will be a surprise to everyone,” URF President Steve Rauschenberger said. “When you have an incumbent seen as a home district traitor like Jay Hoffman is, it doesn’t matter how long he’s been in the State House, he’s in trouble. Match that with a well-qualified, inspiring reform candidate like Dwight Kay, and you’ve got the potential for an exciting campaign in the fall. The URF sees Kay as a serious potential pickup for the Republicans this year.”

Kay, married, with a college age daughter and son, says the enthusiasm behind his campaign has energized him through the hot summer months of walking and meeting voters.

“I’m in this to give back to my community,” Kay said. “But not only that, I’m in it for people like those I talk to in the 112th District to take back their government and make it good again. This is the year we can begin to turn things around.”

These phrases came to my mind as I was reading about the latest grudge match perpetrated by Governor Blagojevich.  He’s taking the General Assembly to the brink of governmental shutdown with new special sessions on a state budget that is not balanced.  Never mind that he has the power to make the cuts himself.

Meanwhile, our pension system is woefully underfunded, legislators can’t find money to live up to our basic needs for building roads and schools, and all of this occurs in the wake of a federal investigation that has already jailed some of our Governor’s closest advisors.

How did our state government end up at the brink of disaster?  And isn’t it the “Right of the People” to alter or abolish the corruption within it?

It’s time for the people of Illinois to declare independence from Governor Rod Blagojevich and the mess he’s created in our state.  The people deserve better than his tax increase proposals, the pay-to-play corruption of his administration, and his poorly-executed programs we can’t afford.

Jefferson wrote, “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government.”

I declare independence from Rod Blagojevich.  I challenge Jay Hoffman to do the same.

Sincerely,

Dwight Kay
Candidate for State Representative - 112^th District