SPRINGFIELD- A top Blagojevich administration official with ties to the governor's indicted former fundraiser has quietly left her state post.

Kelly King Dibble resigned Thursday from her job as head of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, which provides financing for the construction of low-income housing.

She has been replaced by DeShana Forney, the governor's director of public safety. Forney's salary is set at $140,000.

Prior to joining the administration in 2003, Dibble served as a vice president with Rezmar Inc., a Chicago development company owned by Antoin "Tony" Rezko.

Her departure comes three months after Rezko was charged by federal prosecutors for allegedly demanding payments from firms wanting to do business with the state.

Housing Development Authority spokeswoman Man Yee Lee said Dibble's leaving is not linked to Rezko's legal woes.

"Her departure was in no way related," said Lee.

During Blagojevich's first campaign for governor in 2002, Rezko played a key role in helping Blagojevich raise campaign money. After the governor's election, he was credited with advising Blagojevich on appointments to various state positions.

In October, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said the allegedly fraudulent activities by Rezko - outlined in a 24-count indictment - constituted "a pay-to-play scheme on steroids.

Rezko has denied the charges.

Dibble, who is returning to the private sector as a vice president at Northern Trust Corp., was among a number of top state officials with connections to Rezko, including Michael Rumman, former director of the state's main purchasing and hiring agency, and Jack Lavin, who remains as head of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.