Sen. Roland Burris (D-Blago)

Illinois GOP:

Meet the Junior Senator from Blagojevich

Today Roland Burris was sworn in as the junior Senator from Illinois. But in reality he is the junior Senator from Blagojevich.

The voters didn't select Roland Burris, their impeached Governor did. He didn't win this seat by promising to fight for the people of Illinois, he got it by being Blagojevich's loyal ally.

Burris and his companies have donated over $20,000 to Governor Blagojevich, his lobbying clients have donated over $100,000, and Burris himself endorse Blagojevich for re-election in 2006, saying, “I think he’s doing a helluva job”. Just recently on NBC’s “Today Show”, Burris refused to call on Governor Blagojevich to resign.

Burris has been amply repaid for his loyalty. His consulting firm received almost $300,000 in state contracts under Blagojevich, his lobbying clients received over $3 million in state contracts, his nephew was hired for a cushy state job, and finally, Burris received a Senate seat that he could never have won in an election.

Below is a short outline of just how close the Blagojevich-Burris alliance is.

An ally of Blagojevich

Burris and companies he controls have donated over $20,000 to Rod Blagojevich (Illinois Board of Elections)

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“Blagojevich's administration has been beset by investigations and the conviction of Rezko, a onetime top adviser and fund-raiser. But a crowd still turned out, including former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris, lobbyist Al Ronan and ex-Blagojevich staffer-turned-lobbyist John Wyma.” (Backers turn out for gov's fund-raiser, Chicago Sun Times, June 27, 2008)

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“Those listed on the invitation as hosts of the fundraiser include…former Attorney General ROLAND BURRIS, now a lobbyist.” (Blagojevich money machine rolls on, conflict or not, State Journal-Register, April 6, 2006)

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“Among the notable figures who attended the Blagojevich campaign event was the governor's "kitchen cabinet" adviser Antoin Rezko, a wealthy businessman who has raised political funds for him. Also present were Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, who introduced the governor before his speech, and former attorney general Roland Burris.” (Governor raises $4 million, Copley News Service, June 17, 2005)

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“Just days after Gov. Rod Blagojevich accepted his party's nod for re-election in 2006, a letter arrived at state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka's office seeking thousands of pages of documents Blagojevich could use as ammunition against her in their upcoming campaign.

The letter was signed by Roland Burris.

It was one of several requests Burris made to the treasurer's office in 2006, a campaign practice known as opposition research in which candidates use public documents to question their opponents' records.” (Burris helped Blagojevich in 2006, Chicago Tribune, January 11, 2009)

Questionable Government Contracts and Lobbying Work

Mr. Burris’ consulting firm, Burris and Lebed, have received nearly $300,000 in state contracts. (Illinois Comptroller’s office)

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“Burris, his lobbying firm, his clients and a law firm that includes him donated $127,986 to Blagojevich since the governor took office. Burris himself gave $4,500 to the governor, including $1,000 last June. His lobbying firm, Burris & Lebed Consulting, gave $10,796 in cash and services. The law firm with which Burris is affiliated kicked in $5,000 for the governor. Burris' consulting firm has gotten $294,546.30 in state contracts under Blagojevich.

Burris' lobbying clients -- which were under contract with the state for $3.09 million while he represented them -- contributed $107,690 for the governor.” (Gov's pick faces a fight; Obama against Blagojevich's surprise decision, Senate Democrats say they won't seat Burris, Chicago Sun Times, December 31, 2008)

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“In 2003, the finance firm Loop Capital Markets got more than $750,000 in pension bond business from the Blagojevich administration as part of the governor's $10 billion bond program to pay off state debt. Burris, whose firm was on a $5,000-a-month retainer with Loop Capital, said then that there was nothing wrong with the arrangement.

"We make sure that the client has access, and the client has to have a product or services that the customer can use, and that it is a competitive product," Burris said.” (Burris Practiced in Political Arts, Chicago Tribune, January 8, 2009)

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“A company headed by former state comptroller and attorney general Roland Burris has been awarded a $150,000 state contract to advise disadvantaged businesses on how to improve their operations and ultimately win state contracts.” (Consulting firm awarded $150,000 contract by IDOT, State Journal-Register, June 16, 2004)

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A Believer in Patronage

“In 1994, his final year as attorney general, Burris hired his nephew, Steven R. Burris, as a staff assistant in the attorney general's office. Months later, while running for Chicago mayor, Burris defended the hiring by saying his nephew was qualified.” (Burris Practiced in Political Arts, Chicago Tribune, January 8, 2009)

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“Also Thursday, a close confidant of Burris confirmed he called another top Blagojevich staffer, John Filan, to recommend Burris' nephew for a state job. Fred Lebed, Burris' partner, called on behalf of Steven Burris, who had applied for a job as a chief financial officer with the Illinois Historical Preservation Agency.

Lebed said later, the governor's co-defendant and former chief of staff, John Harris, approved hiring Steven Burris. But Burris never started at the agency that had cut 32 jobs.” (Roland Burris asked ex-Rod Blagojevich aide about Senate seat, Chicago Tribune, January 9, 2009)