Clout goes to college (politicians pressured U of Illinois to accept particular students)

Chicago Tribune ^ | June 2, 2009

[reaganaut1]

[Summary of stories at site]

June 2, 2009 Clout Goes to College: Clout list put on suspension The University of Illinois announced Monday that it will temporarily suspend the use of a clout list in the admissions process -- a practice school officials first downplayed after it was described in a Tribune investigation.

June 1, 2009 U. of I. more difficult to get into To understand why someone applying to the University of Illinois would seek help from a trustee or legislator -- as detailed in a Tribune series that began last week -- consider how the battle for admission has changed over the last 25 years.

May 31, 2009 U. of I. admissions: How politicians pressured university to admit students State Sen. Chris Lauzen believed a student deserved admission to the University of Illinois law school in 2005, and he let the university's lobbyists know.

May 31, 2009 Thompson, Blagojevich pulled strings at U. of I. Former Gov. James Thompson wore his love for the University of Illinois on his face during football games, but Thompson says he was just another face in the crowd when it came to trying to influence university decisions on who to bring into the Illini family.

May 31, 2009 John Kass: How you doin' on that free ride to college? If the Tribune's series on political clout influencing University of Illinois admissions hasn't made you angry enough, try this one:

Editorial: The scandal at Rezko U. May 30, 2009 University of Illinois admits it bowed to clout on admissions Facing outrage over preferential treatment given to some well-connected University of Illinois applicants, school officials pledged to clean up an admissions system they acknowledge was sometimes subjected to outside influence.