FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT
Dave Lundy, BGA Public Liaison
312.629.5245 (office), 312.953.1122 (cell)
BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION LAUDS
REMOVAL OF ILLINOIS GOVERNOR
CHICAGO– January 29, 2009 – Today the Illinois State Senate voted to remove Rod Blagojevich as Governor of Illinois. The Better Government Association (“BGA”) fully supports the removal and congratulates the Illinois Senate for the serious manner in which it handled the trial. “This action begins the process of reestablishing credibility in the executive branch of state government,” said Heidi Rudolph, BGA president. “Although he remains innocent until proven guilty in a criminal court, Rod Blagojevich clearly demonstrated that he is unfit to lead. Illinois lawmakers can now move forward and address the many severe problems he leaves behind.” The end of Blagojevich’s tenure closes a grim chapter in Illinois’ checkered history of political corruption. As many have noted, if Blagojevich is convicted, half of Illinois’ recent governors will have felony records related to their public service. “As important as today’s action was, we cannot allow ourselves to be fooled into believing all the problems of waste, corruption and inefficiency in state government will disappear with Rod Blagojevich. This is not a case of a few bad apples. To prevent the next Rod Blagojevich we need real campaign finance laws, and more robust ethics reform. But more than that, we need an attitude adjustment. Elected officials should start with a threshold question: Is this action good for the people? If they can’t see that, they shouldn’t hold public office. It’s long past time for a new day in Illinois and today’s action is a good start,” said Rudolph. About the Better Government Association The BGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic watchdog. Since 1923 the BGA has fought waste, corruption and inefficiency in state and local government. The BGA is a membership supported organization that relies on private funding for its operations. To support the BGA, visit www.bettergov.org/Join.html ###