Governor Blagojevich raises $10.3-million for campaign

By Andy Shaw, ABC 7 Chicago.

January 31, 2005 — With more than one year before his re-election campaign kicks off Governor Rod Blagojevich has more than $10-million dollars in his campaign war chest. But there are questions about how much of that money was raised in exchange for state contracts. The governor vehemently denies any connection between campaign contributions and the awarding of state contracts, but investigations by the Tribune and the Sun-Times are raising serious questions about the claim, and Blagojevich's own father-in-law, Alderman Dick Mell, made some damaging allegations before backing down a bit.

So, as the governor releases his latest fundraising totals, his claims of reform and no more business-as-usual are under attack.

The governor is still running for exercise, not re-election, at least not officially. But he raised $930-thousand dollars in campaign cash since June, and his political war chest is bulging with a record $10.3 million dollars half way through his first term.

"Illinois says raise as much as you want from whoever you want, as much as you want and the governor has taken the ball and run with it," said Jay Stewart of the Better Government Association.

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