Posted on 02/16/2005 6:59:42 PM PST by Land_of_Lincoln_John
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) Gov. Rod Blagojevich refused to stop accepting political contributions from state contractors, but said Wednesday that he supports a review of Illinois campaign finance laws.
Blagojevich frequently accepts large campaign donations from people who receive state contracts. After Chicago Mayor Richard Daley announced last week that he would no longer accept contributions from people doing business with the city, the governor's critics began calling for him to take a similar pledge.
Blagojevich rejected the idea during a news conference following his budget address Wednesday.
``We'll continue to follow all the rules,'' Blagojevich said. ``The rules should apply to everybody.''
Blagojevich did say, however, that he wants to talk with legislative leaders about ways to tighten Illinois' loose campaign finance regulations, which allow unlimited donations to political candidates.
Campaign finance advocates say they'll push this spring for a change to state law that would ban contractors from donating money to statewide officeholders and lawmakers.
Blagojevich said he was interested in reviewing that proposal and other ideas, such as prohibiting lobbyists from donating to state officials. But he said he doesn't know yet whether he would propose a new ethics package to lawmakers.
The Chicago Democrat also said he would not get involved in reports that two of his friends and advisers have links to companies that got lucrative restaurant contracts for the state's newly remodeled tollway oases.
``It would be inappropriate for the governor to start getting in the middle of decisions that are made at the tollway, to decide issues of concessions and other things,'' said Blagojevich, who appoints the tollway board.
The governor said he would support a change in state law that would require more public disclosure of tollway contracts and the companies that receive them.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
This is a race we can win next year.
The Chicago Democrat also said.....
=====
I think that says it all.
I'm still waiting to find an single issue where the "candidate of change" disagrees with the last Governor, Lyin' George Ryan.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.