reporters: talk politics on state time

January 16th, 2008 at 11:50am Aaron Chambers

In Illinois, there’s often little distinction between politics and government. Where does one end and the other begin?Virtually every action by Gov. Blagojevich appears designed to benefit him politically. In the General Assembly, legislative leaders structure votes to help protect their members most vulnerable in the next election.

Then again, there are some hard rules, such as this one: Public officials are not supposed to conduct campaign activities on state property. They shouldn’t be making campaign phone calls and printing campaign brochures and so forth.

But should they talk about politics when they show up in the Blue Room, a room set aside in the Capitol for news conferences, to address government matters?

Such was the question today when state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias appeared in the Blue Room to talk about his office’s handling of a state loan made to a Springfield hotel. Near the end of his news conference, reporters asked him about his campaigning for Barack Obama, the U.S. senator from Illinois and presidential candidate who was instrumental in helping Giannoulias win the treasurer’s office in 2006.

Giannoulias began answering the questions when his general counsel, who joined him at the news conference, approached him and whispered: “We prefer that you not, during state time, talk about politics.”

“Oh,” Giannoulias remarked aloud, “we’re not allowed to talk about politics on state time.”

Reporters weren’t having it. My colleague Bernie Schoenburg, the SJ-R’s political columnist, informed the treasurer: “This is the Blue Room. People do come in here and discuss campaigns.”

At least one other reporter backed him up on that.

Schoenburg was right. Politicians and government officials do routinely appear in the Blue Room and discuss politics, even on state time. This is Illinois. As I said, the line is blurred.

Giannoulias proceeded to answer a few questions about the Obama campaign.

But let’s give credit where credit is due. In Illinois, where public corruption is endemic, at least one state official is concerned about the appearance of misconduct. I’m beside myself.

Entry Filed under: alexi giannoulias, Illinois politics