 The Procurement Policy Board set a public hearing Feb. 9 for an
examination of William Cellini's interests in Pacific Management and
New Frontier Management Corp.The Chicago Sun-Times reported
earlier this month that the two Cellini ventures have agreements
with private landlords to manage at least 18 state-rented offices.
State Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Lake Forest, asked for a review.
"If a senator asks for a hearing, we ought to have a hearing,"
said David Vaught, Gov. Pat Quinn's budget director and chairman of
the procurement board.
Illinois law bars a felon from contracting with the state for
five years after completion of a sentence. Cellini, who has wielded
considerable power in Springfield for decades, was convicted in
November of trying to get a campaign contribution from a Hollywood
producer in exchange for state business. The case was an offshoot of
the federal corruption investigation of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Cellini is appealing.
The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reported last week that
Cellini owns New Frontier but is not involved in Pacific, which is
partly owned by his daughter, Claudia.
The Department of Central Management Services provided documents
to the newspaper showing Pacific Management has agreements on 22
leases. The agency initially said New Frontier is involved in the
state deals but later said it was mistaken and that leases with that
company had expired without renewal.
[Associated Press]
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