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Pantagraph EditorialFriday, November 3, 2006 12:21 AM CST
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Governor's secrecy an insult to Illinois citizens
By the Pantagraph Editorial Board
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Gov. Rod Blagojevich is demonstrating his arrogance and his lack of commitment to the free flow of information by refusing to release information on unsuccessful job applicants and subpoenas his administration has received in a federal investigation of corruption.

These refusals have persisted despite opinions from the Illinois Attorney General's Office that the public is entitled to see this material under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan's opinion is not binding, as a court ruling would be. However, it does carry a lot of weight.

She is state government's top attorney - and she has the authority to take Blagojevich to court to make him comply with state disclosure laws. She should sue him if that's what it takes to get the documents.

When the governor and top state agencies are being ordered by the federal government to turn over documents, the public is entitled to know what's going on.

If federal prosecutors were claiming disclosure would hamper their investigation, that would be a more persuasive argument for secrecy. But it looks more like the governor is trying to protect himself than protect the federal government's corruption probe.

The same motivation seems present in his refusal to turn over the names of unsuccessful job applicants.

The names have been requested because of questions raised about hiring practices - specifically, whether other qualified applicants are being passed over for people with political connection and whether veterans' preference rules are being subverted.

Among employment decisions that have been questioned are

-- The Corrections Department's hiring of the son of a St. Clair County lawyer whose firm has contributed more than $100,000 to Democrats since 2000, including $15,000 to the Blagojevich campaign.

-- The hiring of the son-in-law of U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, a Belleville Democrat, to be a state pilot.

Madigan's office said "eligible lists" are defined as public records under the Illinois Administrative Code.

The governor's office says it is protecting the privacy of applicants, referring to a federal court ruling. That ruling did not involve Illinois laws. It looks more like the governor, not privacy, is being protected.

The public has a right to know this information. That's the essence of open government and accountability.

Regardless of what happens on Election Day, disclosure of this vital information should be pursued.

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Reader comments on this story - 8 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Greenie wrote on Nov 4, 2006 6:18 PM:

" I WILL vote green to send a message!!! Git'r done! "

The Unflappable Fachna wrote on Nov 4, 2006 10:28 AM:

" I think we get it. The Pantagraph would prefer that someone else be governor, right? The drumfire has been incessant since Blagojevich took office, and resolves itself down to little more than "Bu-bu-but, he doesn't live in SPRINGFIELD!". Every other complaint has to do with his inability to cleanse the Augean Stable of a quarter-century's accumulation of elephant dung in just four years, and you don't even cut him enough slack to mention that George Ryan took the last shovel with him when he left. If he did what really needs to be done, the whining about a responsible increase in the "flat tax" would be thunderous ..... the explosion of the supervolcano under Yellowstone would be a "pop" by comparison. Perhaps you should ALL go to Mike Royko Journalistic Fantasy Camp for a nice rest, and let the grown-ups try to put Humpty-Dumpty together again. "

me wrote on Nov 3, 2006 6:21 PM:

" Go ahead, vote for Blagojevich. Franklin said it best, "An idiot is someone who continues to do the same thing, expecting different results." "

Morris, Il. wrote on Nov 3, 2006 10:03 AM:

" Wouldn't be something to have someone to lead from Springfield, rather than from Chicago. Someone that would even be willing to live in Central Illinois. Maybe even act like they know the wants of the people. "

vote out wrote on Nov 3, 2006 8:22 AM:

" GOVERNOR HAIRDOO "

me wrote on Nov 3, 2006 7:34 AM:

" This Governor will be charged with corruption at some point. When that happens Pat Q. will be our Governor until the next election. I agree, this Governor should disclose everything. I don't buy his excuse for a minute. It's going to happen. "

pantagraph reader wrote on Nov 3, 2006 6:41 AM:

" Sort of like Sadam would do I think.George help us . "

Pessimist wrote on Nov 3, 2006 5:52 AM:

" Unfortunately, it's business as usual, and it's not just one party. The Republicans gave us George Ryan, who was a crook, and now we get the same from the Democrats. Chicago has always had corruption, and influences the state government. We seem to have it better downstate, but I wish we had better statewide choices. I intend to keep voting out the incumbents until we find someone who is there for the right reasons, but I'm afraid it might be a long wait. "
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