Bill excluding road, bridge projects from pay-to-play ban goes to Gov. Rod Blagojevich
Feds threatened to cut funds if restriction on bidders was not eased
SPRINGFIELD — Many lucrative road and bridge contracts would be excluded from the state’s new “pay-to-play” ban under legislation the Senate sent Tuesday to impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Senators begrudgingly voted 56-1 for the measure following a threat from the Bush administration that the new ethics law needed to be watered down or federal funding for Illinois would be in jeopardy.
Incoming Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) said she endorsed the proposal only because she didn’t want the state to lose federal funding.
I need a bailout for my jaw which is now thoroughly embedded in the floor.
