From clean coal to Olympics, Obama's rise boosts Illinois' clout
Early Wednesday morning when President Barack Obama was finally finished with his long list of inauguration duties - the lunch, parade watching and dancing at 10 separate balls - he invited about two dozen pals to the White House for a champagne toast.
The intimate gathering was heavy with Illinois clout: suburban Democrats like U.S. Reps. Melissa Bean of Barrington and Jan Schakowsky of Evanston were invited as well as Sen. Dick Durbin and entertainer Oprah Winfrey.
That Obama turned to close friends in Illinois to top off his historic rise to the White House is a clear indication of who will have his ear as he runs the country.
In fact, some positive results already can be seen, says Durbin.
When Durbin pushed for a billion-dollar-plus clean coal project last year in southern Illinois, the Bush Administration killed it. But when the Springfield Democrat called on Obama's incoming administration, he found a more "positive" response.
The so-called $1.9 billion FutureGen project would be the first coal-burning power plant to store carbon dioxide underground. It could mean millions of dollars in economic stimulus and thousands of jobs to the depressed southeast Illinois region near Mattoon.
Obama has supported the project, and Durbin anticipates a reversal of Bush's efforts to kill it.
It may be one of the first examples of how Illinois will benefit as a state under a Chicago Democrat as president.
"It is significant," Durbin says. "Barack Obama of course knows our state and knows its people, and he will be responsive to those needs."
With Obama now president, many Illinois politicians and businesses anticipate a more open line to the leader of the free world. And they hope that will give them a better shot at getting their views heard, potentially meaning more federally funded projects for Illinois or friendlier policies as a whole.
Even Illinois Republicans say they are glad the president is from their home state.
"It will have an advantage," says U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, a Highland Park Republican representing the North suburban 10th District.
Perhaps one of the biggest perks the Chicago area could land would be the 2016 Olympics. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is counting on Obama's international popularity to sway Olympic committee members, who will decide on a host city this summer.
Obama appeared in a video promoting Chicago to the committee members last year.
Kirk says he expects Chicago has moved up on the list thanks to Obama. And he notes that could mean the Chicago area will land more federal tax dollars for transportation projects if the Olympics come to town.
"They know this is (Obama's) hometown," he said of committee members. "I would give the edge to us winning now."
Obama has also surrounded himself with Illinois natives. He picked Chicago Public Schools Chief Arne Duncan to be the nation's education secretary and former U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, a Peoria Republican, to oversee billions of dollars in highway spending as transportation secretary.
"We should be pleased we have some hometown favorites in there," Kirk noted.
Obama's inner circle is also full of Chicago area players. His top advisers include former Chicago Democrat Rep. Rahm Emanuel, political strategist David Axelrod - a former Chicago reporter - and Chicago friend Valerie Jarrett, among others.
"To a person, they represent people who have spent their whole lives or most of their lives in Illinois," Durbin said. "I don't have to explain to them where to find DuPage County or Kane County. They know this state, and they know it well."