APNewsBreak: Rauner board asked builders to lobby lawmakers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Good-government advocates are criticizing the head of an agency that manages state construction projects for asking builders to lobby lawmakers to restore funding.

An email obtained by The Associated Press was sent Tuesday by Jodi Golden, executive director of the Gov. Bruce Rauner's Capital Development Board.

Golden's government email implored "Construction Industry Partners" to urge lawmakers to break the budget deadlock and approve more than $2.1 billion to resume construction this year and more for next year.

Ethics experts say the email was inappropriate. Illinois Campaign for Political Reform chairwoman Susan Garrett says recipients could feel undue political pressure.

Golden says she merely asked for assistance from "the folks that are impacted" by the construction shutdown.

Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly says it's "outrageous" to suggest a conflict of interest.