Blagojevich's Illinois Tollway Plan Could Be Stopped

Chicago Tribune:

Days before Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced a $1.8 billion tollway construction program on Oct. 16, he privately tipped a fundraiser to the plan and said he expected a major highway contractor to raise $500,000 for his campaign fund, according to a FBI recording.

Secretly recorded by FBI agents, the conversation forms the basis for one of the "pay to play" allegations against Blagojevich outlined by federal prosecutors.

Tollway directors approved the program Nov. 20, and a spokeswoman said Wednesday they plan to move forward with the projects.

Critics said Wednesday that they believe the governor was pushing for the work to get started quickly -- even before feasibility studies were done -- so he could extract campaign contributions in advance of tighter fundraising rules on Jan. 1.

Read the whole story: Chicago Tribune

Comments

[harriettubman]

Tollway? The rest of the state needs its grass cut on the highway. I-64 would be a start.