Governor Waste & Fraud

St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

The state of Illinois has paid more than $840,000 to lawmakers for extra travel and living expenses this year, as they have been repeatedly called back to Springfield for unfinished work, state expense records show.

What the taxpayers have gotten for all that extra legislating is continued political gridlock, with Gov. Rod Blagojevich and lawmakers still haggling over issues such as road and school construction, health care and casino gambling expansion.

The final price tag could reach $1 million. What a waste.

Governor Waste. And hopefully soon to be proven fraud. AP:

Blagojevich said he was different, declaring upon taking office in 2003 that he would "shake up a system in Springfield that accepts corruption."

But Antoin "Tony" Rezko, a Blagojevich political confidant and friend, is under indictment, accused of seeking campaign contributions from investment companies in exchange for getting them business with a state pension fund.

In one case, the indictment claims Rezko demanded a company make a $1.5 million contribution to "a certain public official." That was Blagojevich, according to a person familiar with the investigation, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the probe is continuing.

The administration also has been accused of trading state jobs, appointments and contracts for political contributions. And a friend whose wife had just gotten a state job gave Blagojevich a check for $1,500. The governor said it was a gift for one of his daughters, but he wasn't sure which one.

Also, federal prosecutors have subpoenaed records from Blagojevich's political campaign fund, according to the Chicago Tribune.

UPDATE: Illinois GOP: Party is wondering: what about ethics?

Considering the never-ending headlines of pay-to-play with Rod Blagojevich and the fact the legislature is debating handing him billions of dollars in state money, it is curious that an ethics package is languishing in the senate. This is a package that will provide more transparency and more oversight to a process that has clearly been tainted by Rod Blagojevich and his pals.

Ethics bills stalled in the senate include SB 87, SB 1305 , and HB 1.

While there is more to be done these bills would put Illinois on track to reforming a broken system. Surely before we consider giving Rod Blagojevich the opportunity to dole out billions of dollars across the state we can consider the ethics package Emil Jones is holding up in the Illinois State Senate.

Call Senate President Emil Jones today
at 773-995-7748 or 217-782-2728
and tell him you want ethics reform.

Previous posts: Blago hits bottom, Governor Dictator