Democrats catch break with trial's early end

Jurors were out of sight on their first full day deciding the fate of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. But the scene at the federal courthouse could have been far uglier for Democrats if his corruption trial had played out as expected with the party gearing up for tough elections.

And because of Blagojevich’s antics, which range from appearing on reality TV to singing an Elvis song at a street fair, some argue that he is no longer defined first and foremost as a Democrat.

“I think there is often a line that you cross when you go from being associated with a party to being just your own off-kilter personality,” said Democratic consultant Chris Lehane. “And wherever that line is, I think he crossed it a long time ago.”

But Chris Mooney, a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield, said that won’t keep Republicans from hammering away.

“You can be crazy and a Democrat,” Mooney said.

Mooney's comments were featured in a July 29, 2010, article by the Associated Press.

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Quinn's veto pen not packing permanent ink

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has been busy with his veto pen, although it likely won't be permanent.

Quinn issued his second veto of July this week, adding a provision to an ethics law that would allow voters to petition lawmakers for a vote on dormant legislation. Quinn said he's right by both the state Constitution and by voters.

Quinn said he is using his power to empower the people of Illinois. But University of Illinois at Springfield professor Kent Redfield said Quinn more likely is playing a bit of politics.

"These are pure posturing-before-the-election (vetoes)," Redfield said. "When we get to veto session it's unlikely that either would pass on their merits."

Redfield's comments were featured in a July 29, 2010, article by Illinois Statehouse News.

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Inkel-Pongracz weathers severe personal storm

Abby Vorreyer admits it will be a bit unusual today when she tees it up with her University of Illinois Springfield coach, Nichole Inkel-Pongracz, in the opening round of the Women’s City Golf Tournament at Lincoln Greens.

But if one of Vorreyer’s shots goes awry, she’ll probably get some encouragement from Inkel-Pongracz.

“Her biggest thing is, even when everything’s going wrong, just be positive in the moment and deal with the next shot,” Vorreyer said of Inkel-Pongracz. “That’s the biggest thing she tries to teach us.”

If Inkel-Pongracz didn’t already use that approach to golf — and life — before this year, it was reinforced this past spring.

Already having survived a serious auto accident in 1992 and cervical cancer a little more than a decade ago, the UIS coach went through an emotional month during which she said goodbye to her biggest fan and came very close to losing another one.

“If there’s anything I learned from that experience, it’s that it’s not what happens in your life, it’s how you deal with it,” said Inkel-Pongracz, whose father, H. Albert “Al” Inkel, died on April 3 in Naples, Fla.

Inkel-Pongracz's story was featured in a July 24, 2010, article in The State Journal-Register.

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