WurfWhile

The Naperville Sun is reporting that DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett has threatened to sue the DuPage County Board if it does not rescind the recent powers promoted by, and awarded to, Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom, saying that those powers are not constitutional. The powers, mimicking those that Illinois “home rule” government has, include the Board needing a 3/5 vote to override the County Board Chair’s veto and the Chair being able to hire his own attorney.

What’s behind this intra-party feud? It would be nice to think that Joe Birkett is just upholding the law - but that would ignore Joe’s stance on other matters papering over DuPage County Board actions that proved to be illegal. We also haven’t heard much from Joe about Robert Schillerstrom, Bob’s friend and political contributor John Glennon and where our DuPage tax money went - though that may involve a timing issue (see below).

But something has changed. Joe Birkett, according to the Daily Herald is interested in running for governor and informally announced his exploratory bid. In preparation, Joe has changed his stance on permitting people with DUI charges pending to have Drug Court supervision in DuPage - something Kane County has had for years. And now Joe’s taking on a fellow Republican who thinks it’s “Bob for Illinois in 2006.” Stopping an illegal power grab by Schillerstrom hurts Joe’s potential primary opponent, while establishing Joe’s good government credentials. Plus, Joe’s trying to get some noise going among bloggers, with a little success in showing a bit of savvy. Of course a little bit may go a long way when Bob’s site still has him at breakfast and Bob hasn’t overcome his love for the October newsletter he put out. OK, I don’t doubt it was an Extremely Good Breakfast - does Bob ever do a business lunch? Keep your eyes on Joe and Bob - they have the same home base. It should be an interesting GOP Gubernatorial Primary season.