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Under the bus he goes

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Illinois

When you make a habit of throwing your friends under the nearest bus, sometimes you discover that they’ve returned the favor.

Lawmakers called for investigations Monday into links between new tollway oasis food vendors and two of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s closest advisers, but an aide to the governor said he had no plans to ask his inspector general to look into the matter. […]

Despite Blagojevich’s contention that there was nothing to investigate, State Sen. Susan Garrett, a Lake Forest Democrat, said the governor should ask his inspector general to look into the matter, “just to clear the air.” Democratic Sen. Jeff Schoenberg of Evanston, who like Garrett is an advocate for tollway reform, said the revelations taint progress the governor has made at improving the tollway. […]

Both Garrett and Schoenberg called for legislation that would require more disclosure of the financial holdings of people who either act as informal advisers to the governor as well as for tenants in state buildings like oases. Schoenberg said he would push for provisions that would require quicker and more complete filings of the informal advisers.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 15, 05 @ 5:36 am

Comments

Cellini has his hand in this pie, too.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 15, 05 @ 9:45 am
How so?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 15, 05 @ 10:03 am
Has anyone noticed the trend of either telling the IG there is nothing wrong when referring a matter to her(the Mell comments)or simply refusing to refer “because nothing is wrong” (the tollway oases matter)? Why have an independent IG if you are going tell her the results in advance or tell her there is nothing to investigate?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 15, 05 @ 11:15 am
Then file the complaint yourself. I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll give you all the links you need.

First, there’s the IG’s site:

http://inspectorgeneral.il.gov/

Now, while you’re on the front page, be sure to download the IG’s first anniversary report, “A Celebration of Integrity.”

http://inspectorgeneral.il.gov/news.htm

Okay, now to the good stuff. Here’s the link to file a complaint. Anyone — repeat, anyone — can file a complaint. If you think wrongdoers are doing wrong — if you think something’s afoot — then, yes, by all means, go ahead and let the IG know about it.

You don’t — repeat, don’t — need to wait for Blagojevich to do what any citizen in our good state can do for him or herself.

http://inspectorgeneral.il.gov/complaint.htm

Now, understand that the complaint cannot be anonymous. So you’ll have to tap out your John Hancock when you fill out the form.

But there it is. Have at it.

Have a nice, ethical — repeat, ethical — day.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 15, 05 @ 12:16 pm
If a public call from Senators Schoenberg, Garrett and others is not enough for the Governor to want to have it checked out then they should probably be on the lookout for a bus.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 15, 05 @ 6:41 pm
To 12:16pm Anonymous,
Said like a true believer…

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 16, 05 @ 8:09 pm
Look at the www.illinoisleader.com
IT TALKED ABOUT THE PANDA EXPRESS MONTHS AGO
WITH RETZKO AND KELLY

OF COURSE this is a conflict of interest

Do you think you raise tens of millions of dollars and nobody wants anything and there were no promises made

and that Retzko and Kelly are not going to make money because there are corporations invovled

Kelly got roofing business from Hartman and Martin

The Panda Express, Tollway, Kelly, Retzko, Martin, Hartman connection is MORE TO COME and the revelations are THANK YOU to the Mell spat, and the Longo and Avila lawsuit

More to come that will send people to jail

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 17, 05 @ 4:04 pm
Schoenberg is bright but eccentric.
Interesting ideas that have proven to be right
BUT a strange personality

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 22, 05 @ 12:15 pm