By Steve Rhodes
“A majority of callers to Illinois’ child abuse hotline – a front line in protecting battered and neglected children – don’t initially get through to someone who could dispatch an investigator,” the Tribune reported over the weekend.
“Instead, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services took messages for the majority of its more than 236,000 calls logged over an 11-month period ending May 31.”
Well, at least Illinois is running government like a business – if the business is Comcast.
*
For abuse by a parental guardian, press 1.
For abuse by a neighbor, press 2.
*
I joke to keep from crying. It’s beyond sad, and in fact, it’s negligence that’s really criminal.
*
“It’s horrible,” Ed Cotton, who helped set up the hotline in 1980, told the Tribune. “”That’s not a hotline.”
*
“DCFS officials said budgetary constraints, constant staff turnover and outdated technology have fueled problems . . . The investigators are mostly meeting their requirement to try to find a child within 24 hours, according to agency statistics. But in recent months, the Tribune has reported that their caseload levels are often double what they should be, and that investigations languish without resolution longer than legally allowed.”
If only the state had enough money to protects its children..
*
There’s just no money to protect our seniors, either.
*
Meanwhile, the retiring executive director of the Illinois Petroleum Council “concedes” to the Springfield Journal-Register that his industry has “gotten what we needed over the years” out of state lawmakers.
What Does Junior Have?
If Jesse Jackson Jr. isn’t going to respect his constituents enough to be a little more enlightening about his health issues, I’ll go ahead and help fill the vacuum by recalling this passage from my 2005 profile of him for Chicago magazine:
We were somewhere near the edge of Peotone when the drugs began to take hold. At least that’s what Rick Bryant, Jackson’s district administrator, tried to pretend when his boss launched into a series of hilarious-and dead-on-imitations of Illinois pols. “That’s off the record!” Bryant interceded from the back seat of Jackson’s congressional-plated black SUV, trying to protect his boss from himself. “That’s the drugs talking!” Jackson was on painkillers for a back he wrenched trying to do some home plumbing – but after the laughter subsided Bryant warned his boss, “Don’t personalize it!”
And what I didn’t know at the time – because Jackson didn’t disclose it until years later – was that Jackson had recently had gastric bypass surgery.
Which I mention not only to show that he’s been dishonest about health issues in the past, but to further the rumor mill in the absence of his camp being forthcoming.
In that vein, I will also note that a Dr. Drew segment last week discussed the seeming proclivity of stomach-staplees to fall into alcoholism.
Lastly, let’s note that Phil Kadner reported on Friday that “A source told me Jackson had been unable to sleep for an extended period of time.” So there’s that, too; whatever you can make of it to fill the vacuum.
If you haven’t yet, start your office pool now.
Upside Down Cake
“In recent years, the AM Dollar store in West Rogers Park has been cited repeatedly for selling loose cigarettes to underage teens – a practice that has led to loitering and complaints that the store is contributing to nearby street drug deals and violent crimes, according to city officials,” the Tribune reports.
“Looking to stem those problems, the city recently moved to revoke the store’s business license, an aggressive tactic that is part of a larger effort to control a surge of crime in Chicago.
“On Monday, city officials plan to unveil a list of 37 businesses – liquor and convenience stores as well as gas stations and fast-food restaurants – that they say are magnets for neighborhood crime. Some, like the AM Dollar store, are losing their business licenses or have been temporarily shut down for repeatedly failing to correct code violations. Other businesses have been fined.
“City Hall is trying to shame the owners by publicizing their names, alleged violations and complaints about the businesses called in to 311 by neighbors.”
Good idea. I’m sure we’ll see some of these folks shamed and shut down – once they’re done meeting with the mayor.
*
City workers excluded from new shaming policy.
Governor Gumby
Pat Quinn Signs Campaign Finance Bill Into Law When Nobody Is Looking Because It Reverses Post-Blago Reform.
Loophole Bill Was Rushed Through The Legislature In The Dark Too; Ruse Now Complete.
Reason Over Rahm
City Libraries Back To Regular Schedule.
The Weekend In Chicago Rock
A little warped.
Rough Trade
Should the Cubs really deal Matt Garza? In SportsMonday.
The Glass Is Just Half
Megadeth at Wrigley. In The Cub Factor.
Is The Past Prologue?
Half full at the Cell. In The White Sox Report.
–
The Beachwood Tip Line: Unashamed.
Posted on July 9, 2012