Consecutive governors in Illinois have raised Pay to Play to an art form. You can make your own determination as to whether the circumstances below put Ms. Rietz and Mr. Frerichs in the Blago mold or the Paul Simon mold. Last night, as I blogged, Julia Rietz announced that we were switching law firms to handle negotiations on the mold in the nursing home. We previously had been using a Chicago firm, but she decided to move the contract to Phebus and Koester. Lo and behold, I have received an email about a fundraiser. Here is the text.
Lawyers' and Law Students' Fundraiser for:
Democratic State Senate Candidate, Mike Frerichs
The Fundraiser is hosted by:
Julia Reitz, Champaign County States Attorney
Professor Steven Beckett
Joe Phebus, Partner, Phebus & Koester
Location: Professor Beckett's House
For Reitz to hire this firm, who will probably end up with a six figure fee, is pretty incredible when you look at it on the heels of this fundraising invite.
Of course, don't minimize Mr. Frerichs possible complicity in this. Over the course of the last three years he has ingratiated himself enough with Rod Blagojevich to secure jobs for his wife and one of his biggest campaign contributors, Paul Faraci. It was also Frerichs who put together the deal to move his former campaign manager, Curt Deedrich, into the position of Supervisor of Assessments. Mike of course is smart enough to know that rewarding friends with jobs is beneficial, but finding contracts for contributors is even more beneficial.
Once again, Phebus is one of the best trial attorneys in the County. But it is hard to believe that politics didn't enter into this decision. Ms. Rietz could have picked a firm that was equally qualified and avoided the appearance of this conflict.
One final note before anyone jumps to even worse conclusions. I've always understood that law school exams are graded blind. A law student showing up at Mr. Beckett's door with a $1000 check has as much chance of affecting his grade as the Cubs have winning the world series this year.
Of course his chances of getting a job with the Blagojevich administration will increase dramatically.
This is the Year!
Ooh! Those evil Democrats!
So is Mike's campaign manager, Trish Avery, going to be at the fundraiser?
Doesn't the county bid anything out any more, or at least send out RFP's? There are plenty of lawyers in town who could do this work.
Wouldn't this be an ethical conflict of interest as well as Pay to Play? Just wondering.
Joe Phebus is not only one of the top trial attorneys in the nation, but he's also agreed to cut his hourly rate by 50% in order to work for the County. He's saving taxpayers significant money over what the Chicago firm was charging, and he's doing it because he wants to help out his community. The thanks he gets for this? A disgusting, unfounded, partisan attack, questioning his integrity and worth (like Joe Phebus needs a political "sponsor" to get work!!)
I'm no fan, but you're usually a lot better than this, Mark.
Who else was considered?
What was the process?
Was it by committee or just a few friends of Phebus?
Was someone willing to donate their time for 75% off? Was anyone asked?
Wasn't Frerichs' the Champaign County campaign go-to person for Blagojevich in 2002? Maybe that's where he learned this stuff?
is it appropriate for Beckett to use the professor title on an invitation like this? to me that signals something that has to do with his role at the law school, not a political fundraiser.
Too sunny today -- it's Mike Frerich's fault.
Too cloudy -- it's Mike Frerich's fault.
Headache? -- it's Mike Frerich's fault.
Dead animal in the street? -- it's Mike Frerich's fault.
County Board did something I don't approve of? -- it's Mike Frerich's fault.
County Board did something I didn't know about -- it's Mike Frerich's fault.
Someone asked me to do my job? -- it's Mike Frerich's fault.
I'm seeing a pattern here.
Frerichs-Beckett-Blagojevich: a team with something for everyone.
The States Attorney has a statutory OBLIGATION to represent the County in Civil matters. (55 ilcs 5/3-9005). What extraordinary justification is there for the States Attorneys office not taking responsibility for handling this matter. The public was told that Chicago counsel was necessary because of their expertise. That excuse no longer "flies" - does it. Julia was a civil litigator as were others in her office. This move will result in Phebus' office now preventing the public from getting the information about what has gone on behind the closed doors of the Beckett-Wysocki administration, and the public will then be told that its in the hands of the lawyers so Beckett-Wysocki are not to blame.
Just out of curiosity, what Chicago firm were they using?
"I'm seeing a pattern here."
So am I
Poor performance in doing his current gov. job so wants a better one - Mike Frerich
Instrumental in getting poorly qualified campaign manager a gov. job - Mike Frerich
Rises more campaign money outside proposed district than inside - Mike Frerich
how closely will "watchdog" Frerichs audit the billings submitted to the County by the law firm that is hosting this fundraisers?
and how closely with "watchdog" frerichs audit the county nursing home project that is being supervised by professor Beckett, who is also hosting this fundraiser.
theres to many conflicts here to keep track of.
Mr Kirchner brings up a great point. We know that the administration, including mr. beckett, have intentionally kept things, not only from the public, but from county board members as well. With their tight relationship, are we to believe that Mr. Phebus will report everything he finds back to the full board. I will give Phebus the benefit of the doubt, but CB members would be well advised to watch closely and to ask for more information. This looks more like retrenchment than a play for openness
The post wasn't an attack against Phebus, as he was commended as being a top attorney. It was a criticism of Frerichs and Reitz, and a valid one at that. Though, thanks for the lame attempt of misdirection.
another interesting point from Kirchner's post is that why isn't Rietz' office taking care of this in the first place? If they are legally obligated to represent the county in matters like this, then shouldn't they have the resources on staff to deal with issues of this nature? Don't they have good litigators in that office? As Kirchner pointed out, the issue of some specific expertise (in what, mold removal litigation?) seems null now that they picked someone in town. Also, i presume that had the county used the state's attorney's office, then there wouldn't be any extra costs to the county, right? instead, rietz' office punted and now the county already owes/paid $150k in legal fees, soon to be more (despite a 50% off rate).
No matter how much Phebus cuts off his fee, he's still costing the county more than it would with Rietz' office. He's still friends with Beckett. It still looks fishy.
just another day with beckett/wysocki, the republican's primary pick in district 9.
Obviously, the CC Board's contractural arrangements were inadequate to protect the county against legal action as the $150,000.00 already spent on Chicago 'EXPERT' counsel attest to.
For those tax dollars we received NOTHING?
Now Ms. Reitz on behalf of the CC Board has hired a local attorney, Joe Phebus, reportably at a reduced rate of 50% his normal fee.
For those tax dollars what is he going to do?
I suspect, since there is no budget constraints for this effort and like most attorneys he is paid by the hour, there is no incentive to end this litigation quickly.
Maybe an attorney out there can help us. Wouldn't a plaintiff's attorney get a cut of the eventual settlement? one third? or is that allowed for government work? by the way, this smells, and has a host of potential problems, but there is no doubt that Phebus is top flight. just should have picked another top flight attorney
Not Bored,
What Phebus or the Chicago attorneys receive as far as a 'cut' of the eventual settlement, etc., probably depends on the fee agreement that was signed by the County and the attorneys. I don't know if there is any statute that governs the amount of money or type of fee agreement for this kind of work (government work). County board members (or presumably the public through a FOIA) could ask for a copy of the Phebus fee agreement and the Chicago attorney fee agreement. That should indicate if there are any outer limits (i.e. limiting the legal fees to X dollars) or excluding or including travel time (if the Chicago attorneys needed to travel to Champaign County for meetings, was there hourly billing for travel time, was there additional billing for hotel costs, per diem food costs, etc.)
Mark, if you or the N-G can get a copy of the fee agreement(s) signed by Phebus and the Chicago attorneys, that would probably go a long way to answering questions posed on this blog.
"Mark, if you or the N-G can get a copy of the fee agreement(s) signed by Phebus and the Chicago attorneys, that would probably go a long way to answering questions posed on this blog."
Why is it that we're forced to ask Shelden to make such documents public? And how much you want to bet that local Democrats will criticize him for doing so?
" Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game, and dumb enough to think its important." Eugene McCarthy"
Ralph, since you're on the County Board, will you request a copy of the fee agreements and provide those to us?
Thanks in advance.
-Your concerned constituent
"Fee arrangements" for what? Please ampolify your comment.
” Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game, and dumb enough to think its important.” Eugene McCarthy”ÂÂ
“Fee arrangements” for what? Please ampolify your comment.
These two posts from Ralph fit together rather poetically
When someone hires an attorney, they generally sign a fee agreement that outlines what work the attorney will do, and what costs and fees will be charged, and what the rates are (for the attorneys and other staff). The fee agreement would be signed by the attorney doing the work and the County (or representative of the County -- Board Chair perhaps, or state's attorney).
We get it, Mark. You hate Frerichs. You want him to lose. Now give it a rest.
always attack shelden, as if theres something wrong with asking about the stench of the the sitting county auditor benefiting from a fundraiser being hosted by the guy in charge of and the attorney working on a construction project that is way over budget and behind schedule.
what if there's something funny going on with the bookkeeping at the ccnh construction project? who's going to audit the books and report the findings?
As opposed to enuf, I am glad someone is trying to find out what is going
on. Ralph must think it's nobody's business, doesn't care to investigate or
does know something he doesn't want the public to know, Otherwise he'd be
trying harder to inform the people who do care what our public servants are
doing.
Did I ever mention that Mike Frerichs can control the weather?
I thought a week might go by without a ridiculous attack on Frerichs by Mark Shelden. Silly, silly me
attacking shelden doesn't change the fact that "watchdog" frerichs cannot be expected to aggressively audit the ongoing nursing home fiasco given the financial support frerichs is seeking from the two parties most responsble for whether the county gets its 1.7 million back.
bitch at shelden all you want, but your "watchdog" has been muzzled by his campaign contributors. how convenient for everyone involved - except the taxpayers, of course.
I thought a week might go by without CU Listener acting as a Frerichs apologist. Silly, silly me
CU Listener and Mike,
I guess you are used to Democrats kissing the ring and giving you a pass on your lack of accomplishments as well as the latest cozy liaison. But news flash, the taxpayers expect more. Scrutiny=attack.
Mike, if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
It's been said that Lennin had to have Marxs' Rolls Royce washed and waxed, parked back in the shed before every Communist party mtg.
The only reason why Mark Sheldon doesn't have to pay to play is because he uses county funds to plaster his name all over everything he can get his hands on.
I'm not an apologist for anyone. If you look at my website you'd see that I don't hold back from Democrats that deserve criticism. If you can't see how ridiculous it is to attack Mike for this then you are so blind, that even posting a response is pointless. This may be a decent issue against Beckett/Reitz, but stretching it against Mike is a little much
"Maybe an attorney out there can help us. Wouldn't a plaintiff's attorney get a cut of the eventual settlement? one third? or is that allowed for government work?"
Phebus, et al., will receive an hourly rate--not a % of the eventual settlement.
Concerned constituent: When Julia Reitz introduced our new counsel during last Thursday's closed session the fee was mentioned. My memory of the exact amount is fuzzy, but it was much much lower than that of the previous counsel. I suggest you contact Reitz's office and inquire as to details. You will get accurate information, provided the matter is of public record; which, I would presume, is the case. Ralph Langenehim.
Ralph, since you are on the County Board and can see from this blog that there is significant and on-going interest, could you ask our state's attorney as to the details and post her response on this blog. If you don't want her to get mad at you for asking questions that could point out that the State's Attorney's office, who has attorneys on staff could do the same work for free (already in our budget), as opposed to outside counsel, let her know the question is on behalf of a constituent (which it is). Then, you can point out in your campaign that you are responsive to constituent questions. Thanks in advance.
Hey concerned citizen, do you really want assistant state's attorneys who can't win simple criminal cases, and can't get real jobs as real lawyers taking on big time lawyers the contractor and designers will hire?
There is a reason some lawyers make a lot of money and drive expensive cars, and other lawyers drive Fords and Chevys. Skill means money.
You get what you pay for, you get the skill you pay for.
May as well hire Shelden.
If Shelden didn't have to spend his time fighting the state's attorney for documents Wysocki should have turned over in the first place, maybe he would have time.
Maybe if Rietz hired competent attorneys (there still are some who don't demand six figures and instead want to work for the public good (see, for example, land of lincoln legal assistance foundation attorneys who are among the smartest in the county). but if rietz instead is going to hire her good friends who are attorneys instead of attorneys who merit hiring, then "Yeah, right", your point is well taken.
So, if the state's attorney has the obligation to defend the county in local civil matters, why doesn't she hire attorneys who are competent to do that?
Because she can't pay enough. The "noble" lawyer you think exists pays bills, raises kids, and wants money. When they make the same money as an Osco manager, you can't expect much.
And as for land of lincoln lawyers, you have to be kidding. Doing "walk through" divorces, getting poor people government handouts, yeah, right.
Dear Concerned Constituent: I am not at alll comfortable conducting this sort of business with an anonymous electronic will-o-the-wisp. Contact me via E-Mail, Snail Mail or telephone, identify yourself, and then we can talk it over and see what needs to be done. For all that I, or anyone else could know, you could be Mark Shelden, George Ryan or Osama bin Laden. If you are really serious about this, you cannot continue in the style of the Wizard of Oz speaking from behind a curtain.
Ralph, what I'm suggesting you do is nothing more than your paid elected job as a County Board member. * Whether I am Mark Shelden, George Ryan or Osama bin Laden shouldn't matter to you as long as my request is regarding an issue you should know about because of your elected position (county board issues), and is being requested by someone who lives in your district or claims to live in your district.
Here I thought I was giving you a softball for you to get the information, share with the readers, and come out looking like you care about protecting the County's resources.
What I will suggest, since you appear to be unwilling to even do your job -- perhaps for fear that it will not sit right with the democratic state's attorney or other county board members -- is that people will have to contact the State's attorney's office, wait and see if she or her staff decides to answer (or maybe they will claim that they don't have to provide such information under some made-up interpretation of the freedom of information act) and find out -- each one -- for themselves. hopefully, once there is an answer, people on this blog will share this information.
Mark Shelden has shared all his information that he has found, though under no obligation as county clerk to do so.
* Noted thanks to County Board member Scott Tapley, who did look into the issues discussed on this blog and was kind enough to share his knowledge not just with his constituents but with all the interested people reading this blog.
You may have to wait a long time. The police officers are getting
very upset with this office for not either taking cases to trial, or even
present charges. They way is to plea very case out since they can
not win a case. This is very upsetting to the local police officers.
I am sure there must be no one to be able to handle this kind of
case regarding the nursing home.
For the Mike Frerichs, you dish it out you better be well to take it
back, or you may be having your said of words repeated back to you.
I can not even handle a county board member who can not even give
us information. You are there for other tayers Your job is not
for a private firm. I believe you might want to read the discription
of your job. May be Juli might know what it is. Oh, I might what
to think that one over again, she would have to ask someone else.
local watcher, what language are you speaking?
Dear concerned: If you will contact me directly, I will be glad to discuss this stuff with you. Sorry, but I cannot do this sort of business with a person acting anonymously.
Okay Ralph, do us a favor and stop doing any business. That would reduce the dem votes on the county board by one. You don't think that the fees you pay to your legal counsel are important. thanks. happy to know you're so engaged.
Wait a minute - stop giving Mr. Lanenheim so much grief.
This is the "Slap Frerichs" thread. "Bitch at the Board" is down the hall.
CheapEngineer
Cheap Engineer: Thanks. Actually, highly antagonistic opposition helps your cause so I smile and enjoy. Ralph Langenheim
GO back to sleep RALPH.....god forbid we should have information about spending.
Thanks for the boost John. See posting of Cheap Engineer and my answer. Ralph Langenheim