Hastert asked that statue in his honor be 'deferred'
Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert asked state Democrats to put on hold an effort to spend up to $500,000 on a statue in his honor on the Illinois Capitol grounds, an official said.
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan started moving legislation May 5 to pay for such a statue this month. It hasn't moved forward since May 14.
Spokesman Steve Brown said Hastert reached out to say he was honored by the gesture but asked that the effort be "deferred."
Brown said Hastert cited the state's financial troubles.
"So we put the whole idea on hold," Brown said.
Hastert was indicted by federal prosecutors Thursday for lying to the FBI. He spent 20 years as a member of Congress from the western suburbs.
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