July 22, 2004

BY MICHAEL SNEED SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

Hmmm. . . . The big question floating around Springfield is the reason for the quiet departure of the governor's chief legal counsel, Susan Lichtenstein, and members of her staff.

*The word proffered: Lichtenstein had accomplished her goals spending a year in government.

*The big question: Is it possible these ominous clouds of allegations of misconduct regarding bigbucks guys this/close to Gov. Blago and his top advisers/buddies/wheeler dealers were an added impetus to the exodus? Like . . . get out before the headache turns to brain cancer?

Just asking.

Babs blab . . .

One might be happy to note that singer/top Dem fund-raiser Barbra Streisand will NOT be attending the Democratic National Convention in Boston.

Dem da dem dem . . .

A Dem note: Stay in Springfield or suffer the consequences?

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, state legislators are scheduled to be voting on the budget.

*The catch: A lot of Dems think they are going to Boston for fun, fun, fun at the pre-DNC parties.

*Translation: If da Dems leave early for Boston, there may be hell to pay.

The Clooney bin . . .

Sneed hears the gal pal/inamorata who showed up with actor George Clooney during the filming of "Ocean's Twelve" in Winnetka recently was his Brit sweetie Lisa Snowdon. It's an on-again/off-again thing, don'tchaknow.

Rob 'em . . .

Former Dem presidential contender Howard Dean was robbed last week when he went to a pay phone at JFK Airport to phone in a speech at the Women's National Democratic Club due to a plane delay.

*The buckshot: Dean's wallet was swiped when he pulled out his calling card and placed the wallet on top of the pay phone.

*The backshot: Imagine this guy being in charge of our national security?

Movie mayhem . . .

Scoopsville?

Mission: Impossible? Sneed hears "Mission: Impossible 3" director Joe Carnahan quit last Friday. The film, starring Tom Cruise, had been in pre-production for six months and up against bad weather in Berlin. Rumor is they are planning to shut down and try to start up again in the spring.

I spy . . .

Familiar faces were spotted dining last weekend at Chicago's favorite new restaurant in River North, Rockit Bar & Grill. Among them: actors Jeremy Piven and Larenz Tate; "The Bachelor's" Jen Schefft, starting Bears QB Rex Grossman, and rock bands Journey and the Counting Crows. The common dish of choice amongst all of their tables was the Rockit Burger -- with Kobe beef and foie gras. . . . Rocker Eric Clapton was spotted at the Peninsula Sunday talking about how the hotel was rated one of the country's best recently. . . . Singer Babyface ate at Hugo's Frog Bar Saturday and Sunday and he wanted unavailable shortcake on Sunday. So when word hit Gibsons, they made sure there was plenty of shortcake on hand when Babyface showed his face there Monday. . . . Kiss' Gene Simmons dined at Gibsons recently.

Docu data . . .

The New York press says the next hot documentary will be "Deadline," which follows former Gov. George Ryan and his moratorium on the death penalty. The movie will premiere on NBC July 30.

Sneedlings . . .

Congrat to Ed and Denise Vrdolyak on the birth of their grandson, Edward Robert, son of Edward and Tara Vrdolyak. ... Today's birthdays: Bob Dole, 81; Jim Edgar, 58; Albert Brooks, 57; Don Henley, 57; David Spade, 40; George Clinton, 64; John Leguizamo, 40; Willem Dafoe, 49; Danny Glover, 57; Alex Trebek, 64, and Peg Zwecker, 94.

Michael Sneed is seen at 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays on WMAQ-Channel 5.