Add Trustees To U of I Clout List: Report
Tribune investigation finds 100 cases in 3 years
Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 | Updated 10:45 AM CDT
Courtesy: athletics.uiuc.edu
The board of trustees helped nearly 100 applicants through the admissions process over the last three years, the Tribune reports.
When it comes to getting into the University of Illinois, the influence of politicians, power brokers and now trustees certainly seems to help, according to a investigation by the Chicago Tribune.
The politically appointed Board of Trustees sponsored nearly 100 applicants over the last three years, including children and relatives of co-workers and "key employees, the Tribune reports.
In one case, the U of I law school dean sent an e-mail to someone in admissions saying a trustee "just called about getting his [relative] into law school here next year," according to the paper. The e-mail, obtained by the Tribune, goes on to say "needless to say, this one takes velvet gloves."
The revelations have prompted a federal investigation into whether former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was involved in the clout admissions. Current Gov. Pat Quinn has appointed a commission, led by Abner Mikva, to investigate the allegations uncovered by the Tribune.
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