State Sen. Duffy wants out of 'rubber stamp' green jobs advisory panel

A suburban state senator has asked to be removed from an advisory board overseeing the implementation of a $425 million jobs initiative, saying he refuses to be a "rubber stamp" on what he calls a "pork project spending spree."

Because Dan Duffy, a Lake Barrington Republican who was appointed to the board by Senate Republican leadership, doesn't get a vote on the board to voice objections over the implementation of the "Urban Weatherization Initiative," he says he wants out.

The project, paid for by borrowed money, is already a sore subject for Duffy. The senator last summer voted against the $31 billion capital bill, which included the project.

But after attending meetings about the Weatherization Initiative project's implementation, he said he also feels that the project has "very little oversight and absolutely no accountability," which he says is irresponsible.

Duffy wrote Office of Urban Assistance Deputy Director Karin Norington-Reaves in an e-mail last week, asking to be replaced on the committee.

Norington-Reaves says Duffy is the only board member who is voicing objections, and says "he really hasn't been participating enough to have heard the issues."

The project was proposed by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and part of the capital bill signed by Gov. Pat Quinn last July. It is administered by the newly-created Office of Urban Assistance and paid for through the Build Illinois Bond Fund.

Just $2 million is available for the first year of the project, Norington-Reaves said. The remaining $423 million will be spread out over the next four years.

According to the office of urban assistance, the project aims to create thousands of jobs across the state for the under- and unemployed, improve energy efficiency in disadvantaged communities, and stimulate local economies.

The program allows grants of up to $6,500 to weatherize individual housing units, while community groups, educational institutions and local businesses can apply for grants of up to $500,000 a year.

Program participants will be trained to become energy auditors and perform "traditional weatherization tasks" - repairing and replacing inefficient heating units and water heaters, working on pipe and duct insulation, caulking, and window and door replacement. The money also will be used for skills and work force development training, and support services - including child care, transportation, motivational activities, tools and work clothes.

Duffy said he doesn't understand why the work is considered to be a "green jobs" initiative. He's worried community groups will get millions to use without having to account for it. "Currently there are no assessment or feedback triggers in place to gauge and evaluate the project down the road," he said.

Plus, he says, he sees the transportation and child care costs, among other allowed expenses as excessive and all encompassing.

But Norington-Reaves said grantees will be required to complete several quarterly reports, identifying expenditures and progress toward meeting objectives, to comply with requirements spelled out in the grant recovery act. Urban Assistance department officials will conduct regular site visits.

Yet Duffy claims his questions aren't being answered, and without the opportunity to vote, he wants out.

The project oversight board consists of five voting members appointed by the governor. Four state lawmakers - two Republicans and two Democrats - who were appointed by their respective party leaders to serve as nonvoting members. Joining Duffy are Sen. Donne Trotter of Chicago, Rep. Ken Dunkin of Chicago, and Rep. Dave Winters of Rockford.

Nonvoting members, Norington-Reaves said, "certainly provide input and participate in all the discussions that are held. They're engaged in every single step."

She said aside from Duffy, no other members have offered negative feedback.

In an e-mail, Norington-Reaves told Duffy she will ask Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno to appoint a replacement. Radogno spokesman Tim Bryers said she was aware of the issue, respectful of Duffy's wishes, and plans to appoint someone else.