Sunday, September 17, 2006

Still more bad news for Ill. Gov. Blagojevich

Gov. Rod Blagojevich, D-IL, got more bad news this morning when he picked up his Sunday Chicago Tribune on the doorstep of his Chicago home.

Blagojevich broke tradition when he was sworn in as governor by not moving into the Governor's Mansion in Springfield, but that's another story.

From the Chicago Tribune, free registration is required:

Skirting state hiring rules, Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration gave jobs to at least 360 people whose applications were sent through back channels by the governor's office and other political heavyweights, a Tribune investigation has found.

More than 70 workers with political pedigrees were hired through internships meant for college students--even though all were older than 35 and a few were in their 60s.

In addition, Blagojevich's administration nearly doubled--to more than 740--the number of high-level state jobs he can fill without following hiring rules.

In a broad examination of hiring across state agencies, the Tribune found that these maneuvers and others were used to systematically subvert a process that is supposed to be free from political influence.

Federal invetigators have been looking into the hiring practices of Gov. Blagojevich since last year.

Last week, the Tribune disclosed that the governor's daughter Amy, then a seven year-old, received a $1,500 birthday check from Michael Ascaridis. Beverly, Michael's wife, took a state job shortly after the gift was received. Blagojevich didn't report the gift until two years later, when the FBI asked him about it.

In a race that mysteriously has received little national attention, Blagojevich is running for re-election this year. His opponent is Republican Judy Baar Topinka--her chances to unseat "Blago" continue to improve.

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