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$600 makeup tab has Rod blushing
Govenor’s office says billing state was mistake
By Mike Riopell
mike.riopell@lee.net
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SPRINGFIELD — Going before bright lights and television cameras to deliver his annual budget speech, Gov. Rod Blagojevich paid a professional makeup artist $600 to help him look good.

Records show the state paid $600 to Deborah Dee, a professional stylist from the Chicago-area town of Crystal Lake. Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said the $600 amount included payment for Dee’s travel and consultation on the lighting for the March 7 address.

When asked Friday why state government paid for makeup, the administration said the billing was a mistake and produced documents showing that Blagojevich’s personal campaign fund paid Dee.

But the state paid her with tax money, too. Ottenhoff said Friday that Dee has sent a reimbursement check, but a spokeswoman for the comptroller’s office said the state hasn’t yet received it.

Web sites show that Dee has done hair and makeup work on television shows including the “The West Wing” and major films such as “Stranger than Fiction” and “Groundhog Day” — both of which were at least partly filmed in Illinois.

According to state campaign records, Blagojevich has paid Dee for “event preparation” services before. In those cases, he used his personal campaign fund.

Blagojevich has faced criticism this year for his frequent use of government planes to fly from his home in Chicago to Springfield at a cost to the state of $5,800 per day.

Reached by phone this week, Dee said she didn’t want to talk about the work she’s done for Blagojevich, saying only that “it’s business.”

State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, said he remained suspicious of the situation.

“The fact remains that someone billed the state $600 for his makeup,” he said.

State Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline, said he likes Blagojevich and that $600 won’t make a huge difference in the state’s budget. But he agrees the governor should pay for it himself.

“If you’re going to pay for it, pay for it out of your own funds,” he said.

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Reader comments on this story - 51 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.

al wrote on Jul 15, 2007 10:28 PM:

" imagine what hillarys bill must be for makeup? "

To Astro-Fro wrote on Jul 15, 2007 4:12 AM:

" In case you do not know Marc Strauss is still on News 25. "

To: In The Know wrote on Jul 15, 2007 3:59 AM:

" There are no term limits for governor in Illinois but don't let that worry you as Rod has NO chance of winning a third term. "

Life of Illusion wrote on Jul 14, 2007 11:36 PM:

" So the guy who blames "Gucci loafer wearing lobbyists" for the demise of his social agenda spends $600 on makeup so he can look good for the cameras while delivering a doomed budget speech? C'mon, he should have gone to a mortician for that speech. "Gee, that GRT looks so life like." He could have saved the rest and bought a doc visit or two for some uninsured families. But that would be him doing good with HIS dollars not ours. And he wonders why he can't get lawmakers to trust him. "

Apple wrote on Jul 14, 2007 8:23 PM:

" There's not enough make-up on earth to improve the looks of that little twink! And, what kind of make-up artist lives in Crystal Lake? "

dan wrote on Jul 14, 2007 7:51 PM:

" I think this guy is not the best governor, but his beauty reatment is a non-issue - he used his campaign funds, not tax payer money. Give us real political coverage. "

mickwd1 wrote on Jul 14, 2007 7:20 PM:

" Again and again and again. Here you commentors are, again, crying and complaining about the misuse and abuse of the governors office by the governor, and yet all I basically read is comments on his looks. When are the People of Illinois going to get down to brass tacks, democrat and republican, and go out and find someone to govern your state, instead of choosing someone you do not care to govern your state?This governor, and he is not the first, criminally misuses and abuses the office, and thus, the people of this state, because they thing they are above the law. If you don' t like it, then REALLY do something about it. First, take responsibility, secondly, take action. "

Big Steve wrote on Jul 14, 2007 6:52 PM:

" FYI... California's governor lives in LA and not the capitol. He catches the same heat as Rod for this. I bet Arnold has a make-up artist too. "

To ES wrote on Jul 14, 2007 6:45 PM:

" You can't be serious when you say the Pantagraph is right-winged! It used to be, but no longer. I find it interesting that you're about the only Dem who has posted so far. Maybe Rod and Edwards could run on the same ticket. The hairdresser Sstylist?)would only have to make one house call! But the two narcissists would have a hard time which spot on the ticket they'd get! "

Roger wrote on Jul 14, 2007 6:01 PM:

" Maybe the make-up artists are trying to cover up something or maybe they are actually trying to cover up nothing. What is actually under that immovable hairdo? I know and hopefully the rest of you can figure it out. Are Rod and John Edwards stock holders in a beauty salon? "

to ES wrote on Jul 14, 2007 5:38 PM:

" it takes courage to admit you voted for the guy and he turned out not to be the second coming.....this has nothing to do with right/left wing... "

Michael wrote on Jul 14, 2007 5:13 PM:

" I can improve my looks by flipping a switch! "

To:ES wrote on Jul 14, 2007 4:40 PM:

" I'll bet that most commenters here just can't stand gov't stupidity ................ Party affiliation has little to do with it . The Pantagraph, bringing it to light, is a public service.......... They ran stories about George Ryan, chewing his @$$ *(and rightfully so) about his "government appointments". "

Media wrote on Jul 14, 2007 4:24 PM:

" Most the media is Pro-Democrats.....GIVE me a BREAK! "

Pontiac Guard wrote on Jul 14, 2007 4:23 PM:

" As a State employee, I can't stand Blagojevich. He is no better than Ryan. However, show me one politician that doesn't pay big bucks to look good (or at least try to look good. Not much can be done with Hillary). Do they all use our money to do it? Probably. I don't agree with most Democrats on to much but, this time I have to agree with Boland. No, that $600 isn't going to kill Illinois but, Chicagovich needs to pay for that crap out of his own pocket. "

ES wrote on Jul 14, 2007 2:49 PM:

" The Pantagraph editors have no courage. What a biased and unfair story: the mere selection to run it shows a form of political favortisim. Now all the Neo-cons Republican right-wingers will cry foul if anyone makes fun of Bush and then they harp of Blago in this forum. Of course the Republican-graph supports it. How is this a news story? More shady dealings from the right wing which controls the media in this town. The Pantagraph editors should feel shame and I know they will not put these comments on their website. "

Sounds wrote on Jul 14, 2007 1:41 PM:

" like Rods new name should be "Skippy" "

Whats wrong with the picture! wrote on Jul 14, 2007 1:30 PM:

" How can it be that our governor can spend the same amount of money that the government offers the disabled for a whole month, on make-up? This is disgusting and a gross misuse of tax dollars. Why must a disabled person go with-out and only receive six hundred and thirty dollars a month yet Blago pays someone to do his hair and make-up the same that he pays a person who is unable to help themselves? This is what is wrong with America and Blago you make me sick......... "

illinois is doomed wrote on Jul 14, 2007 12:47 PM:

" If any one of the rest of us here tried to pull off a stunt like that on our employers we would be fired immediately without even hearing our side of the story. And yet Rod blunders on from day to day. "

?? wrote on Jul 14, 2007 12:39 PM:

" 600 dollars?! & he still looked ugly! "

Disorderly Conductor wrote on Jul 14, 2007 12:02 PM:

" Until this jerk stops wasting my tax dollars the state of Illinois will not see a single red cent from me. I am going to drive to IN for every single thing I need or I am going to order everything else from the Internet. This jerk must stop wasting our money and all Illinoisans should follow suit and show these idiots in Springfield that we do not have to take it any longer as other states will be more than happy to accept my tax dollars and use them responsibly. "

amazed wrote on Jul 14, 2007 11:53 AM:

" to see so many people bashing a democrat....finally! We have put up with him refusing to live in the capitol. We pay for him to cater to his wife refusing to live in Springfield because 'it's too dirty'. BOO-HOO....should've thought avout that before he ran the first and especially the second time. I hope to shout that everyone remembers that there is a website to get him impeached out there. "

Why was Blago re-elected... wrote on Jul 14, 2007 10:55 AM:

" I'll tell you how the governor was re-elected: there was no one in his own party who dared challenge him, and no one in the other party who had any credibility. The Republicans barely exist in this state any more, thanks to incredibly inept leadership. They (national as well as state leaders) share some of the blame for this mess. "

pretty face wrote on Jul 14, 2007 10:29 AM:

" Rod has to look good because he's incompetent in every other area. "

YadaYada wrote on Jul 14, 2007 10:24 AM:

" Rod got gypped. "

Pat wrote on Jul 14, 2007 9:32 AM:

" Say what you want and I agree the 600 clams is excessive but Rod is a HOTTY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

Astro-Fro wrote on Jul 14, 2007 9:30 AM:

" I haven't seen astro-turf hair that bad since the days when News 25 was trying to get rid of Marc Strauss and his astro-hairspray do. "

Mike wrote on Jul 14, 2007 9:20 AM:

" If you tie two articles together, (this one and the one on "Up-Town Normal" spending $5,100,) one could easily see why the great state of Illinois is financially doomed. You have local arrogance ignoring the needs and wants of the many to project the wants of the few, and you have state arrogance that says, "Catch me if you can! Until then I will do what I want!" We need emergency elections! Until then, could someone go up and mess Blago's hair up?? "

CALDIE wrote on Jul 14, 2007 9:11 AM:

" Illinois....you put me in a SORRY state !!!!! "

MRS. wrote on Jul 14, 2007 9:04 AM:

" I am still trying to figure out how he got re-elected the last time. I didn't think he stood a chance but he is still here. I am sure Judy would not have been any better but we would have at least got him away from people's money and satisfaction that he was a 1 term Gov. Hopefully people see him for what he is and if he ever runs for so much as dog catcher in the future the only votes he gets is his and Daley's. If I as Patty I don't think I ould vote for him. "

Personally wrote on Jul 14, 2007 8:55 AM:

" I'd take Ryan over this guy any day. "

Tom Terrific wrote on Jul 14, 2007 8:50 AM:

" LOL. You got to be kidding. "

This is what our elected wrote on Jul 14, 2007 8:30 AM:

" has become. Once they get elected they consider themselves royalty, and they can spend taxpayers money anyway they want. If they run low they can just raise taxes again to get more. What a waste of taxpayers money he won't be reelected no matter how much makeup he puts on. He needs to realize this, he has done messed up big time, but he is just arrogant enough to think he can pull it over on all of us again, by looking better no doubt. What a joke and it's on him. "

a reader wrote on Jul 14, 2007 7:51 AM:

" It's gonna take a LOT more than that to make him look good! "

''''''''''''''' wrote on Jul 14, 2007 7:49 AM:

" should of spent more still ugly "

wake up; wrote on Jul 14, 2007 7:20 AM:

" Illinois...vote this guy out "

Crybaby wrote on Jul 14, 2007 7:06 AM:

" Poor Rod: a $600 makeup job. And he could still hitchhike across San Francisco and never get a ride. "

Hey wrote on Jul 14, 2007 6:59 AM:

" let's go a little easy on Blago. After all when the makeup artist started out his mug and hair looked liked Rudy Guiliani's. Now that is a professional at the top of her game ! "

agrees wrote on Jul 14, 2007 6:25 AM:

" I agree with all of the above. The gov. is a pathetic. I'm a state employee and I have to work for the idiot. "

voter wrote on Jul 14, 2007 6:23 AM:

" this was a sad case of people voting against someone rather than for someone. We need to get some real choices in candidates next time around. "

Gemini wrote on Jul 14, 2007 6:14 AM:

" this guy has lost what little brains he had. I think him and Bush are related...... "

totally confused wrote on Jul 14, 2007 5:03 AM:

" He wants to look good yet there are hungry people in our state!!! There are kids going without and he wants to look good - afraid it didnt help at all. How do some people sleep at night. "

In the Know wrote on Jul 14, 2007 1:23 AM:

" Over 40 other states have budget surpluses and we have this idiot. He can't be "voted out" as he is in his second term. And remember a few years ago when he was in California raising money with talk of being President some day. LOLOLOL! "

You can put lipstick on a pig wrote on Jul 14, 2007 12:54 AM:

" But, it's still a pig or a Blago ............. "

Need More Hair Spray wrote on Jul 14, 2007 12:44 AM:

" Maybe he and John Edwards can get together and discuss hair gel and mousse techniques. Then maybe he can explain to the public why he is screwing us on our energy bills by giving our state away to the wind companies, at downstate taypayer's expense? "

Daley?? wrote on Jul 13, 2007 11:48 PM:

" Maybe Daley and the Gov need to share services...this way they can just get the bill paid for by the Democrats!!! Maybe the Gov needs to just keep his little hindy in the capital city, just like he promised when first elected...HUH??? Duh???? "

This Guy wrote on Jul 13, 2007 11:38 PM:

" So needs to be voted out. "

yo wrote on Jul 13, 2007 11:28 PM:

" he should get his money back, it did not do any good !! "

blushing wrote on Jul 13, 2007 10:57 PM:

" Maybe he needed the makeup to keep folks from seeing him blushing. After all, he's an EMBARRASSINGLY bad governor. "

I'd like wrote on Jul 13, 2007 10:43 PM:

" To thank all of the idiots who voted for this jerk. Thanks for putting the state in an even worse situation than we have been in anyway. "

william wrote on Jul 13, 2007 10:19 PM:

" I'm not surprised, the "man" only cares about looking good and advancing his political career. Its time to send pretty boy packing. I just hope that he can make do on the pension he will receive when he leaves office for the rest of his life. "
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