The Blago Jobs Program

Report shows nearly half asked governor for jobs, then voted him out

Former Governor Rod Blagojevich doesn't have a lot of political allies now.

But he certainly did in the early years in office, according to a report by the Chicago Sun-Times.

An analysis of hiring records showed nearly half of the Illinois state senators and representatives who voted for Blagojevich's impeachment had gone to him for jobs and favors between 2003 and 2005.

The list includes powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan, House floor leader Rep. Jay Hoffman of Collinsville, current Senate Majority Leader James Clayborne of Belleville and House Minority Leader Tom Cross.

According to the Sun-Times, Rep. Hoffman got 140 jobs out of 205 requests and Madigan was able to secure 33 positions from 98 requests.

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown told the paper most of the names on the list "didn't ring a bell...Given our position and the record for accuracy by the Blagojevich administration, I'd wonder if any of that has any accuracy."

Read more in the Sun-Times.

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