HR0080 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0080 LRB096 11076 RLC 21423 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On February 11, 2009, former Governor Rod Blagojevich was a guest on the Don Wade and Roma Morning Show on WLS 890 AM; and

WHEREAS, Rod Blagojevich, during the interview, claimed on the air that a legislative leader approached Blagojevich and requested that Blagojevich hire a legislative secretary who was having an extramarital affair with a legislator, because the legislator's wife wanted the secretary fired; and

WHEREAS, Blagojevich claimed that finding a job for the secretary would, according to a tape of the interview, "keep that guy happy and, you know, then hope that they might work with us on some issues"; and

WHEREAS, The request that Blagojevich hire someone not based on merit or need, but rather to satisfy a legislator, a request that would result in a legislator or legislators then working with the Governor "on some issues", would appear to constitute an attempt at pay to play; and

WHEREAS, State law prohibits public officials from trading official acts for services; and

WHEREAS, The people of the State of Illinois expect their elected officials to follow State law and work to root out corruption; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the House urges the office of the Sangamon County State's Attorney to immediately begin an inquiry or investigation to determine, based on Rod Blagojevich's claims, if any State laws were violated, and if any legislator or legislators, together or alone, sought to trade their services in exchange for Governor Rod Blagojevich hiring a legislator's secretary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Sangamon County State's Attorney.