Jan 29, 2009
DePaul University Faculty Available For Expert Commentary on Illinois Governor, Impeachment Proceedings
DePaul University Faculty Available For Expert Commentary on Illinois Governor, Impeachment Proceedings
* Len Cavise, professor, DePaul University College of Law. Cavise is a noted criminal defense attorney with expertise in areas such as evidence and criminal procedure. Cavise can discuss the evidence prosecutors are using to make their case against the governor, conspiracy theory laws and criminal procedure. “The governor is an old-fashioned crook in a post-modern world—a child playing an adult’s game,” said Cavise. “Unfortunately for the government, there needs to be more evidence than just Blagojevich spouting off about what he would like to do to prove criminality. He needs to do something, even if it's ordering somebody else to do something.” Cavise can be reached at 708/704-5965.
* Jeffrey Shaman, professor, DePaul University College of Law. Shaman is a constitutional scholar and noted authority on the First Amendment. He can discuss the impeachment petition filed by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan that seeks to have Blagojevich removed from office because of disability; the state’s impeachment article and the impeachment procedure in Illinois. “Much of this is uncharted waters,” said Shaman. He can be reached at jshaman@depaul.edu or 847/328-3864.
*John C. Roberts, professor, DePaul University College of Law. Roberts has expertise in the Senate’s legislative process having served as general counsel for its Armed Services Committee from 1977 until 1980. He can discuss the legislative process and the articles in the Senate’s rules that dictate the seating of senators. He also can comment on the Senate’s authority to control its membership. “The Senate will have a difficult time blocking Burris based on its rules,” said Roberts. He can be reached at 312/362-8776, 312/787-3418 or via e-mail at jroberts@depaul.edu.
* Donald Hermann, professor, DePaul University College of Law. Hermann is an expert on ethics, the insanity defense and legal competency. He can discuss ethical issues raised by the governor’s alleged actions, conspiracy and criminal liability. “There could be criminal liability for the governor based on a conspiracy theory,” said Hermann. “He didn’t show a completed plan, but it is enough to agree to do the deed. His wife would be part of the conspiracy, too, as she encouraged his actions.” Hermann can be reached at 312/266-8853.
* Woods Bowman, professor of public service, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Bowman can comment on current and emerging problems with the state budget and government operations. He served in the Illinois General Assembly from 1977 to 1990 and chaired the Appropriations Committee from 1983 to 1990. He served as chief financial officer for Cook County from 1990 to 1994. He has written extensively on public finance. Bowman can be reached at 312/362-5718, wbowman@depaul.edu or 312/819-1615.
* Craig Sautter, visiting faculty, School for New Learning. Sautter has expertise in the history of political corruption in Illinois. He can discuss Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, having worked as a political consultant on his U.S. Senate campaign. In the 1980s, Quinn visited Sautter’s class “Organizing in the 80s” as a representative of his Coalition for Political Honesty. In that class Sautter predicted one day that Quinn would be Illinois governor, although he never thought it would be due to the impeachment of the seated governor. Sautter can be reached at 773/262-5806, 773/655-7169 or via e-mail at rcsautter@aol.com.
* Wayne Steger, professor of political science, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. He is an authority on the congressional and presidential process, political party behavior and public policy-making. He can discuss impeachment procedures involving Gov. Blagojevich. Steger argues against such a move saying the issue of scandal and corruption should be kept on the front-burner in order to galvanize public opinion in support of reform in general. Steger can be reached at 773/677-5328 or wsteger@depaul.edu.
* Mike Conklin, journalism instructor, College of Communication. A longtime reporter for the Chicago Tribune and personal friend of John McCormick, Conklin can discuss the journalistic integrity of the Chicago Tribune, which did not bend to Blagojevich’s alleged pressure tactics to get John McCormick fired. He also can comment on how the episode shows the importance of having a competitive news town. Conklin also can discuss the Tribune’s agreement to back off a story at the behest of the U.S. Attorney General along with the ramifications of that decision. Conklin can be reached at 773/325-8651, 847/721-2496 (cell) or mconkli2@depaul.edu.
* Bruce Evensen, professor of communication, College of Communication. He is an expert on media ethics. He can discuss the impact the Blagojevich scandal is having on Chicago's image and its efforts to attract the 2016 Olympics. He can be reached at 773/325-2894, bevensen@depaul.edu or 847/797-9095.
* Bruce I. Newman, professor of marketing, College of Commerce. He is an expert in the areas of campaign finance reform, candidate image and marketing and advertising. “On what basis do we elect our candidates,” asked Newman. “Is it based on experience, charisma, the issues? Or is it based on money, technology, strategy and organization? Whatever the basis, the political catastrophe currently unfolding in the Illinois governor’s office is the result of a paradigm shift taking place in politics that rewards those politicians with the most sophisticated marketing campaigns, and not necessarily those with the finest character.” Newman can be reached at 312/362-5186, 847/987-6932 (cell) or bnewman@depaul.edu.
* Ola Adeoye, visiting assistant professor of political science, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Adeoye is an expert on the American political system, state politics and Chicago government. He can discuss how the process of filling the senate Seat vacancy has become enmeshed in triumphalism and posturing. “The disagreement among the governor’s same-party enemies, each with a different idea for removing the governor and filling the seat, and the Republicans’ scheme to take the seat via a costly special election, even as the state tries to borrow a billion dollars to close the budget—is a selfish, precedent-setting mistake that will affect Illinois for a long time to come,” he said. Adeoye can be reached at 773/325-1845 or oadeoye@depaul.edu.
Wayne Steger