Joe Reacts to Blagojevich Indictment

The stunning scope of corruption outlined today should sicken every Illinoisan. We voted twice to give a man the power to guide our state government ethically and effectively and he did neither. His
incompetence and utter disregard for serving the public good has devastated our state fiscally and makes a mockery of our state’s reputation.

I am not surprised by today’s indictment. I said publicly in 2005 that if Rod Blagojevich was re-elected he would not finish a second term because of the widening federal investigation. The corruption that was
apparent to me and others was winked at by top Democrats in Illinois as they lined up beside him in 2006 or stood silently by, enabling his destruction of our state government.

We can and should pass strong new ethics laws to make it more difficult for another Rod Blagojevich to repeat this dark six-year period in our history. But the best way to prevent corruption is for voters to pay close attention in upcoming elections and demand the leaders they elect have records of honest and effective leadership.