An Associated Press review of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s campaign contributions from July-Nov. 2008 shows that he raised at least $80,000 from firms with state road contracts, including $10,000 the day after the governor announced a $1.8 billion tollway project mentioned in criminal charges against him.
The review shows donations from 15 firms that hold millions of dollars in current contracts from the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, the state Department of Transportation or both.
Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 on a federal complaint that alleges he tried to trade official actions for campaign money or a high-paying job. Up for sale, according to the government, were multibillion-dollar road construction contracts, an $8 million children's hospital reimbursement and the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
According to the complaint, Blagojevich told an associate on Oct. 6 that he would announce a $1.8 billion congestion-relief plan for toll roads in northeastern Illinois, indicating that he "could have made a larger announcement" but wanted to see if a highway contractor would come through on a proposal to raise $500,000 for him by the end of the year.
Blagojevich announced a proposal to add express toll lanes Oct. 15. The following day, he received $10,000 in contributions from transportation and tollway contractors.
None of the contributors has been accused of wrongdoing.
Among the money coming in was $3,000 from Omega & Associates Inc. and $3,000 from Millennia Professional Services of Illinois Ltd. Omega is under contract with the Transportation Department for $250,000 this year; Millennia has $967,000 in work from the agency.
Neither company's representatives returned phone calls from the Associated Press Jan. 12.
Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero said road construction projects are open to competitive bidding.
"I have to assume that the contracts were awarded based on merit and not contributions," Guerrero said.
Blagojevich has been trying for years to get the Legislature to approve a statewide construction plan, or capital bill, that would be worth $25 billion or more.
The Illinois House impeached Blagojevich on Jan. 9.
