Greg Hinz On Replacing the Lt Gov on the Democratic Ticket

GREG HINZ, Blog from Crain's Feb 10, 2010

In some ways, it's the best job in town.

For $117,800 a year, all you have to do is cut ribbons, kiss babies, and smartly salute when the boss calls. There is a bit of travel involved -- Springfield is lovely this time of year -- and it would be a good idea not to have been involved with hookers, or massage parlors, or to be behind on your child support and taxes. But given everything, it's one cushy gig.

Perhaps that explains why Illinois Democrats so far have had a devil of a time finding a candidate for gov lite. First came the whole Scott Lee Cohen fiasco, and now that he's promised to give up his ballot spot, half the political world wants the job.

Frankly, the best thing the Illinois General Assembly could do would be to pass a constitutional amendment abolishing the job and letting another official -- the attorney general or secretary of state -- temporarily take over if the gov croaks or pulls a Blagojevich.

Ergo, my vote goes to the first candidate for lieutenant governor who promises to, upon election, immediately resign, an action that hopefully would prompt the Legislature to get serious about amending the constitution.

Short of that, my preference would be to require each candidate for governor from now on to run as a ticket with a candidate for lieutenant governor. That way, at least someone would be vetting the Scott Lee Cohen's of the world.

But despite such sentiments, Democratic Party powers seem intent on filling the vacancy with a new candidate. But who?

The first group is composed of the guys who ran and lost to Mr. Cohen. They can at least say they've shown an interest in the job. That would be State Reps. Art Turner and Mike Boland, and state Sens. Terry Link and Rickey Hendon. But all of them fell short -- though I must admit that Mr. Hendon's commercials, a knock off of the old Amos and Andy show, were quite entertaining.

Group two consists of folks who fell short in prior bids for higher office, but whose supporters say are tanned, fit and ready. Notably included are Gov. Pat Quinn's reported favorite, former congressional hopeful and U.S. veterans affairs official Tammy Duckworth, and state Rep. Julie Hamos, who lost a shot for 10th District congressman.

Chicago's powerful African-American voting block has a big influence in this process. It likely would be pleased if the choice went to West Sider Mr. Turner. Selecting him also would please state Democratic Chairman Mike Madigan, who elevated Mr. Turner to be his deputy House majority leader.

But an at least equally compelling argument can be made that, with everyone else on the November Democratic ticket hailing from Chicago, the Ds really need someone from the exurbs or Downstate. That would augur in favor of Rep. Boland, who's from Moline, or perhaps state Sen. John Sullivan from Rushville, who's name also has come up.

It it were me, I'd select the most competent person I could find, someone who would bring clear financial expertise to the table at a time of staggering state budget woes. That might mean thinking totally out of the box -- a corporate treasurer, perhaps -- rather than relying on the same old political names. Maybe even, gasp, a Republican businessman.