Pantagraph.com | News | Governor's decision to move 150 IDOT workers sparks outrage

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.

dalmanites wrote on May 3, 2008 2:37 PM:

" Newdays, it's Rend Lake, not Wren Lake. This is politically motivated. Decentralization never works and makes for inefficiency. Moving 150 families to Benton will not affect the economy down there much except for buying a house, buying groceries and putting kids in school. I foresee a goodly number of these folks transferring to another department, retiring or quitting. That would be my decision if I were forced to move to Benton, of all places. Then where will IDOT find the experienced people to run the Traffic Safety Department?
"

real american wrote on May 3, 2008 8:31 AM:

" First off EVERYTHING with this governor is "politically motivated". He is looking for some of those downstate democrats who can't stand this guy, to come back to his side for the up coming budget debates, which should begin in earnest within the next couple weeks. If he was really concerned about saving the state some money, he would be living in Springfield. Do you recall ever seeing this joker do something that wasn't politically motivated? "

Bluegrass American wrote on May 3, 2008 7:26 AM:

" To Jarhead71......Most of the offices that the state has is in buildings owned by private entities. It has always been that way. "

Bluegrass American wrote on May 3, 2008 7:23 AM:

" This guy is absolutely the biggest joke that Illinois has ever had. He is not the king but he sure wants to be. "Employees working there now would be offered the opportunity to relocate..." Just pack up and get going. He didn't want to leave the area that his kids were growing up in and move into the governors mansion, so he stayed in Chicago. The Heck with the rest of the Illinois Citizens. This guy is making Illinois look worst every time he opens his mouth. "

newdays wrote on May 3, 2008 6:39 AM:

" If it is the Benton/Mt Vernon area...economy does need a push down there. Back in the 60s they built Wren Lake. It was to be a recreational area for the state but also to supply water source for industry. To my knowledge recreation is great but not a big money resource to local area. Industry didnt move in. People are still waiting for jobs.
Homes can be bought there if there are any to buy but who is going to buy the homes in springfield that these workers leave behind... "

Bluedog wrote on May 3, 2008 6:39 AM:

" NO, it is not the " road workers " ( big orange trucks ) who will be affected. They will remain " quarantined " to the state sheds supposedly because of high fuel prices . They are loving that directive, " out of sight , out of mind " ! "

Ladonna wrote on May 3, 2008 5:18 AM:

" JC/GIRL, Get a grip woman!!! Do you really think people would drive back and forth to work in Southern Illinois. Dang Woman, stop and think a moment, about relocation maybe... Sure, Southern Illinois needs a ton of more jobs since the recent closing of the Maytag Plant and others, but I do not think this is a very smart idea. Would it really be worth it to disrupt 150 workers and their families, I think not. There are other ways to bring employment to Southern Illinois, Bumbo-Blago is just not smart enough to figure it out. I also agree with Bama Yankee, what right does Dumbo-Blago have to ask these people to relocate when he can't even have his "ASS" in Springfield where it belongs.... HAVE A GOOD DAY!!! "

Bama Yankee wrote on May 2, 2008 11:58 PM:

" The governor should be living full time in the Governor's Mansion, instead of commuting back and forth between Chicago and Springfield, at taxpayer's expense. When he starts doing that, perhaps, and I stress the word "perhaps" he can decide when and where what state jobs should and can be relocated.

I'm sure glad I retired from Illinois to a state where such crap isn't going on and my taxes no longer pay to support such a corrupt Chicago idiot. "

JMD wrote on May 2, 2008 10:28 PM:

" I realize the inconvenience of having to move, but it isn't like their jobs are being moved to Mexico, China, India or anywhere overseas. They still have the same job at the same pay which is more than almost anyone who has their jobs moved. "

Interested Party wrote on May 2, 2008 9:24 PM:

" I talked to a relative who is one of the 150 impacted by this. They are office workers, safety inspectors, etc and were told the office would be in Benton. They are currently in a leased office about 1/2 mile from the main IDOT building in Springfield. My relative told that building and offices at the Fairgrounds have space. Word is Blago promised the move if 3 legislators in the area would vote against putting the recall on the ballot. If I remember correctly the vote failed by 3 votes. Wonder if any of Blago's buddies have been buying up houses and apartments around there? "

OGS wrote on May 2, 2008 6:20 PM:

" So these workers are going to be able to sell their homes? Say no to Blago. The guy is a jerk with no heart at all. A regular slime ball. "

Not so Political wrote on May 2, 2008 5:23 PM:

" It is great that they are moving this dept out of the rat hole of Springfield. "

Jarhead71 wrote on May 2, 2008 5:03 PM:

" WHY is the State RENTING such a building? This building should be OWNED by the State, not RENTED. Who is the owner of this RENTED building? "

MRS. wrote on May 2, 2008 4:47 PM:

" I agree with Downstater. Every republican voted for recall. Watch and see if this isn't a gotch moment from the brat. "

BigBrother wrote on May 2, 2008 3:51 PM:

" Springfield is a republican district. Any one want to bet the jobs are moved to a district with a democrat senator? There is no limit to the political punishment that Blago will exact on the state legislature. Madigan needs to begin the impeachment process. Its obvious that the Chicago democrats and Emil Jiones are going to do everything they can to rip the state of Illinois apart. If Chicago can't have its way then everyone in the state has to suffer. "

newdays wrote on May 2, 2008 3:05 PM:

" Are these Office jobs or the workers on the road..

If the workers transfer to the new office they may be a few openings but would that account for the cost of building expense for new building... "

Country Girl wrote on May 2, 2008 2:50 PM:

" This isn't about whats best for the state. If these emplyees transfer how does that help the unemployment in Southern IL? All it does is cause a real big hassle for the current employees and hurt Springield. You can bet the contract of these employees covers moving benefits and what is saved by the difference in leases will be ofset by the transfer costs. Gov Rod moving these jobs is him trying to say-See I CARE about downstate. "

Downstater wrote on May 2, 2008 2:25 PM:

" 1) which region of the state is Sees from? He comes to IDOT from Mt. Vernon. 2) which part of the state actually continues to somewhat support Blago (to the greatest extent he can gain support)? The southern part of the state. "

Venture Bros. wrote on May 2, 2008 2:15 PM:

" Moving these workers from Springfield to southern Illinois is cultural genocide. Its almost as degrading as moving a person (say like a governor) from Chicago to Springfield. "

muttonhead31 wrote on May 2, 2008 2:01 PM:

" tell me 1 decison the governor makes that is not politically motivated. I DARE YA! "

ziadragon wrote on May 2, 2008 1:55 PM:

" I know it's probably not going to be a popular opinion, and I hate to agree with ANYthing the governor is doing, but as far as getting IDOT people where they are needed the most, and saving money, I think this makes sense.
Let the flaming begin. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on May 2, 2008 1:54 PM:

" I truly feel for the road workers - I would be livid if my boss told me "Hey starting tomorrow and every day after that you will be working in Chicago. Have a nice daily trip" I know road workers make decent money but can they really afford to live in BN, Springfield & the surrounding area and drive hours south to work?

Please, everyone drive safe and respect the road workers! : ) "

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