The Illinois legislative session is over, it’s not Christmas Day, and at last check State Senator Debbie Halvorson is still running for Congress. So, why won’t Halvorson come forward to personally answer questions regarding legislation supported by Tony Rezko that she authored in the State Senate?

Usually when one runs for Congress he or she makes themselves available to answer questions that are on the minds of voters. Clearly Senator Halvorson believes she is immune from having to speak directly to the voters – kind of odd for one running for Congress.

Well, here’s a big newsflash for the senator from Crete: No matter how bad you want this to go away, it’s not going anywhere until you come forward to personally answer these troubling questions.

Even more interesting is that when it came time to take credit for passing an ethics bill she personally stalled for more than a year, Senator Halvorson was front and center with the media. When it came time to talk shamelessly about how she worked for funding for a veterans home, even though she had not, she was there to personally talk with the media.

Now, when serious questions regarding her potential involvement with Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich and legislation she sponsored have popped up, she hides behind written statements and spokespeople.

The time has come for Senator Halvorson to stop hiding behind written statements and speak directly to the voters.

Until she comes forward people will continue asking: Where Is Debbie Halvorson?

At some point State Senator Debbie (Rod, Who?) Halvorson must come out of hiding and explain why for years as Majority Leader and Chair of the Senate Rules Committee she has carried Rod Blagojevich’s water. This includes why she was the chief sponsor of Senate Bill 2063 - legislation pushed by convicted felon and Blagojevich friend, Tony Rezko.

The recent revelations from Rick Bryant, who is Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln National Airport Commission, that Senator Halvorson was the lead sponsor of legislation pushed by Tony Rezko is troubling at best. You can read about it here and here.

While Halvorson continually denies her ties to Rod Blagojevich, signs keep occurring that prove she has been Rod’s number one advocate in the Senate. Now we have a piece of legislation that Halvorson brings to the floor of the senate – legislation that is exactly what Blagojevich’s best friend and convicted fundraiser Tony Rezko wanted.

Illinoisans are fed up with the Blagojevich/Halvorson way of doing things in Springfield.

Halvorson needs to quit hiding behind her spokesperson and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and come forward to answer these very serious questions:

As chief sponsor of the legislation, did you have any discussions with Tony Rezko regarding SB 2063?

Did you ever have any discussions with Tony Rezko regarding the Third Airport?

As chief sponsor of SB 2063, did you have any discussions with Rod Blagojevich, members of his administration, or Emil Jones regarding this bill?

Serious questions deserve serious answers.

Statement from Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna regarding the Tony Rezko guilty verdict:

“Today’s guilty verdict for Tony Rezko is another sad reminder of the broken political system in Illinois and the continuing nightmare of corruption in this state.

“The headlines tomorrow will reduce an already diminished faith in public service from a people - who in Illinois - face the highest gas prices in the nation, huge taxes and out-of-control spending.

“Democrats promised change and the people of Illinois have gotten the same old song and dance.

“Now that the trial has come to an end, it’s time Rod Blagojevich came clean with the people of Illinois and answered the numerous questions surrounding his involvement with Tony Rezko.”

Once again State Senator Debbie (I’m the “go-to person” only when it’s convenient for me) Halvorson is caught shirking her duties as Majority Leader in the State Senate.

The deadline for the Illinois State Senate, led by Emil Jones and Debbie Halvorson, to reject lawmaker pay hikes came and went Saturday. Now Senator Halvorson and Rod Blagojevich are in line for fat pay hikes throughout the next year.

Senator Halvorson claims no one will receive pay hikes because the senate did not include any money into the budget. However, she did nothing to stand up and ensure that the pay hikes did not take effect.

Once again we find Senator Halvorson just doesn’t get it. As Majority Leader, Halvorson has claimed she is the “go-to person” in the senate yet she did nothing to ensure a vote on rejecting the pay hikes.

This once again begs the question: Senator, are you the Majority Leader?