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Blagojevich gave big contracts to donors

Records reveal culture that surrounded Illinois governor's campaign funding

Originally published 05:45 a.m., December 15, 2008, updated 05:45 a.m., December 15, 2008

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CHICAGO

When Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich committed $8 million in state money to a local children's hospital this fall, federal authorities said he wasn't going to let the precious dollars out of his hands so easily. He demanded a $50,000 campaign contribution from the hospital´s chief executive in return.

It's among the various accusations against Mr. Blagojevich, who was named last week in a federal criminal complaint on charges of trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama´s now-vacant U.S. Senate seat.

But a review by The Washington Times of state contracts and campaign contributions shows that those weren´t the only things Mr. Blagojevich didn't let out of his office without a price tag.

Nearly half of the $664,000 Mr. Blagojevich's campaign fund collected from corporations and organizations in just the first six months of 2008 came from groups with lucrative state contracts.

See related story:Blagojevich may allow special election

The state´s lax campaign contribution laws - possibly the least restrictive in the country - led to a culture that revolved around collecting campaign money and one that has tarred many of Illinois' politicians.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn - both likely contenders for the governor's race in 2010 - appeared on the national morning talk shows Sunday, calling again for Mr. Blagojevich to step down and allow Mr. Quinn to name a temporary nominee to Mr. Obama's Senate seat. Miss Madigan filed briefs with the state Supreme Court last week, asking it to strip Mr. Blagojevich of his authority, and the state legislature plans to meet Monday in Springfield to begin impeachment proceedings.

Companies with hefty donations to Mr. Blagojevich´s campaign fund appear to have benefited in the form of lucrative state contracts.

Engineering firm Alfred Benesch & Co. and its employees, for instance, have donated at least $144,100 to Mr. Blagojevich since 2002. That includes four $10,000 checks each donated on the same day in 2004 and four more for $7,500 each donated on the same day in 2005, according to a review of state records.