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  For governor: Topinka
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ContributorImperator 
Last EditedImperator  Oct 22, 2006 05:09pm
Logged 1 [Older]
CategoryEndorsement
MediaNewspaper - Chicago Tribune
News DateSunday, October 22, 2006 11:00:00 PM UTC0:0
DescriptionWhen Gov. Rod Blagojevich appeared before the Tribune's editorial board earlier this month, he concluded with a lengthy argument for why he deserved this newspaper's endorsement for re-election. He recited a long list of things that have happened during his first term. But here are a few items the governor left off the list:

- His friend, adviser and fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko. Two days after the editorial board meeting, federal authorities unveiled a 24-count indictment of Rezko for corruption, including an alleged kickback scheme designed to put $1.5 million into the governor's campaign fund. U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald characterized the scheme as "pay to play on steroids." Through Blagojevich, Rezko has placed associates on several state boards and agencies.

- The expected guilty plea this week of political insider Stuart Levine, whom Blagojevich reappointed to the state teacher pension and hospital oversight boards. Levine is charged with extorting investment firms that sought state pension business and using his board positions to steer money to friends. More details about those schemes are likely to be revealed with this plea.

- The 2005 guilty plea to an extortion charge by Joseph Cari, an attorney and Democratic fundraiser. Cari said a "high-ranking Illinois public official" was involved in a scheme with Levine and others to steer state pension fund investments in exchange for campaign donations.

- A federal investigation of the governor's patronage office. The governor's first inspector general said the efforts by the governor's office to subvert state hiring laws reflect "not merely an ignorance of the law, but complete and utter contempt for the law."

The scent of scandal constitutes more than smoke. It's a five-alarm fire.

The governor's flimsy responses--he doesn't know, he can't recall, he's the victim here--insult the people of Illinois.

The governor who promised in 2002 to "end business as usual" would have you pay no atten
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