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Just about any client that former Blagojevich chief of staff Lon Monk signs up for his new lobbying firm will have some connections - direct or indirect - to the Blagojevich administration. But the Daily Herald found another string that runs through all but one of Monk’s new client base: GOP power broker Bill Cellini…
• The Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association, where Cellini is executive director. An investment firm owned by Cellini’s two children got a contract under Blagojevich with the Illinois State Board of Investment to invest $60 million in state worker pension funds.
• The Stough Group, a Hinsdale firm that builds affordable housing for seniors and relies on state-backed loans and rent subsidies through Blagojevich’s Illinois Housing Development Authority. Stough executive Michael Pizzuto used to work for another Cellini company. Blagojevich also appointed Pizzuto to the State University Retirement System board.
• Public Issues Management, the lobbying firm of Fernando Grillo, whom Blagojevich appointed director of the agency now known as the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Grillo used to regulate doctors but now lobbies for them on behalf of the Illinois State Medical Society. The medical society uses Cellini to manage its real estate holdings. And Grillo hired Monk to lobby with him on the doctors’ behalf.
And in case you forgot…
In the Rezko indictment, prosecutors listed Cellini as “Individual A,†alleging that he was an intermediary as Rezko and convicted political insider Stuart Levine attempted a $2 million shakedown of a businessman seeking state pension business. Cellini has not been charged in the case.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 9:09 am
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These incestuous relationships between the Lobsters, Reps and Dems has got to stop. This cozy relationship is an example of what John Kass of the Trib calls the “Combine.” Where’s Rich Whitney when you need him? Come on Independents, “make hay while the sun shines!”
Comment by If It Walks Like A Duck... Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 9:29 am
Cellini was GOP when the GOP was in power.
Now he is a Democrat because they are in power.
He swings both ways, and just follows the cash.
Nice to know how Blagojevich changed business as usual. Cellini is proof that Rod doesn’t have “God’s” ear, does he?
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 10:59 am
Sounds to me as if Mr. Cellini is the personification of Independent.
Comment by i d Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 12:42 pm
Maybe Governor Blagojevich was refering to Williiam (Bill) Cellini when he referenced god.
Or maybe Bill’s a 21st century godfather who holds all the marbles.
Comment by Master of Puppets Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 1:13 pm
Lon Monk is just a high-ranking lieutenant in the intricate Blagojevich web of corruption.
Comment by Ka Ching! Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 1:20 pm
Bill Cellini has, as far as I can recollect, never lost money on any deal. I had the inside tranche on a lot of stuff. His sister was a member of Jim “The Puritan” Edgar’s kitchen cabinet.
Comment by Truthful James Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 2:15 pm
Hmmm… The Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association. Seems like I recall a name of a big asphalt paving contractor in the Peoria area that has some big ties here too. Wonder how much clout these boys have with IDOT in writing the specs for slapping a new layer of asphalt on Illinois’ terrible roads every five years or so?
Comment by vole Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 3:08 pm
Vole- I have often thought the same thing. Surrounding states make roads out of concrete and don’t have potholes like we do.
Comment by State Worker w/ MBA Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 6:12 pm
In the halcyon days of Richard J and Tom Keane, with almost annual improvement projects on the Chicago expressways, there was a rumor that they were built out of cottage cheese. The aldermen “investigated” and determined it was Velveeta. In either event it was a pretty cheesy job. {(:-)]}
Comment by Truthful James Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 6:21 pm
I didn’t see where he disclosed these new clients on the Sec of State web page
Comment by Enough is Enough Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 7:28 pm
Actually, in honor of Individual A, IDOT paves the roads with provolone, asiago, and mozzarella.
Got to pay the “tithe” somehow.
Comment by Disgusted Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 8:33 pm
“Enough is Enough” you have to know how to use the search. Search for his name, then search for his entity
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 9:24 pm
The original article cited the $12,500 from the Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association. A closer inspection shows that $12,500 was also recieved on the same day from the Good Governement Council, AKA Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association. Did they make two contibutions, but in a way that makes it unclear what is going on. This has happened before.
Comment by Pot Stirrer Monday, Mar 26, 07 @ 9:44 pm
TEAM Services, a sports naming rights company, and the contractor that gets 15% commission for making Coke or Pepsi the official beverage of the state is connected to Monk. …..And the administrator at CMS responsible for monitoring the Team Services contract is the guy who offered his house for Rezko’s bond.
Comment by Diego Tuesday, Mar 27, 07 @ 6:12 am