Sen. Brady: Governor's attempt to move IDOT jobs could be illegal

[May 05, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- An attempt by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to move Illinois Department of Transportation jobs from Springfield to southern Illinois could be illegal and is just the latest in a series of gubernatorial decisions that clearly indicate he should be removed from office, according to state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington.

"I am not sure which is worse -- a governor who is truly ignorant of Illinois law or one who willfully ignores it," Brady said. "In either case, the citizens are not being served. State government is seriously adrift and quickly heading toward the rocks. We must do what is needed to get back on course."

The governor announced Friday that he is moving approximately 150 IDOT jobs from Springfield to southern Illinois. However, the State Facilities Closure Act -- an initiative put forward by the Senate Republican Caucus in 2004 -- states that a governor cannot act without closure recommendations and public hearings. Brady says there is a mandatory process for closing a facility, and it is unclear at this time whether the governor plans to fulfill the requirements of that law.

"The IDOT office in Springfield oversees our state's transportation system and should remain consolidated under one roof in the capital city," Brady said. "We are also concerned about the IDOT employees and their families affected by this announcement. Will they be forced to move or will they lose their jobs?"

Brady said this latest decision by the governor is yet another reason that Illinois citizens should have an option to recall state officials. On Thursday, Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, killed a measure that would have allowed voters to decide to allow a constitutional amendment for the recall of elected officials.

"This governor does not know how to follow the rules. He does only what he wants, he blatantly ignores the laws passed by the General Assembly, and he treats the state budget as if it were his personal piggy bank," Brady said. "And the Chicago trial of gubernatorial fundraiser Tony Rezko is generating some very disturbing testimony about corruption and influence peddling."

Brady, the 44th District senator, is a member of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, which will likely be asked to review Blagojevich's attempt to move the IDOT jobs without public hearings.

[Text from file sent on behalf of Sen. Bill Brady by Illinois Senate Republican staff]