WurfWhile

Press coverage of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich showed today why he will

Win the Gubernatorial Election in 2006 - since a mere matter of elibility won’t keep Alan Keyes from running as his opponent anyway

and

Lose Votes with his Budget Cuts - in today’s Chicago Tribune:

“Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Friday ordered the state Department of Natural Resources to rehire a paraplegic man who was laid off from his mechanic’s job at a state park and told he had to give back his state-owned wheelchair.
….
Blagojevich also ordered the return of [Arthur “Red”] Burchyett’s wheelchair, saying the state needs to balance commonsense fiscal decisions with compassion.
….
For 24 years, Burchyett has worked at the refuge. Eleven years ago, the state bought him a $25,000 custom-made motorized wheelchair to assist him on the job after he was hurt in a tractor accident.

But Burchyett left his chair behind when he was laid off a few weeks ago by DNR. Department officials told him the chair had to remain state property.

Burchyett was one of more than 120 DNR staff members who were sent pink slips since October. Officials have said the layoffs were necessary for the department to absorb a $23 million budget cut without closing any wildlife areas.
….
‘He’s not a bitter person at the state,’ said Burchyett’s friend Lane Rhodes. ‘He’s more hurt. He didn’t feel wanted anymore, felt like he was just a number.’
….
[O]utdoor advocates have said they fear the department will end up neglecting its roles as gatekeeper for outdoor attractions and promoter of a tourism industry that contributes nearly $23 billion annually to the Illinois economy.”

One Man shows another perspective on how this is lose-lose for the governor.