Small donors expected more of governor
Real-estate agent Tom Tzioufas expected better from Gov. Rod Blagojevich after providing a $750 campaign contribution in April.
Tzioufas, of Arlington Heights, said he thought Blagojevich was still doing a good job when he decided to provide the donation. The last thing Tzioufas expected eight months after his financial gift was federal agents leading Blagojevich from his home in handcuffs Tuesday morning.
"I'm absolutely shocked," said Tzioufas, who wouldn't object to a refund of his $750. "I did not expect it."
Tzioufas was among the numerous smaller, individual contributors to Blagojevich. Those gifts don't compare to the $10,000 Americash Loans of Des Plaines gave to Friends of Blagojevich in June, or the $20,000 that came from the Bell Boyd & Lloyd law firm the same month, but they carried just as much meaning to the small guys.
Like Tzioufas, John Stokovich, owner of the Libertyville Manor extended-care facility, would want his $500 contribution to Blagojevich's campaign returned if it were possible.
Stokovich donated the money in the spring. He gave the $500 after Blagojevich spoke at a fundraiser at Most Holy Mother of God Serbian Orthodox Monastery in Third Lake.
Stokovich said he decided to contribute his cash because he was pleased Blagojevich acted proud of his Serbian heritage, which he contends was not the case with the governor in the past.
Now, Stokovich said, he's "almost embarrassed" being associated with Blagojevich through the donation. He said he never voted for Blagojevich.
"It's a slap in the face to (Chicago Serbs)," Stokovich said of the federal government's case against Blagojevich. "It's a big-time slam. It's not the fact of getting caught. It's being a (dumb). Greed."
Bradley Schwartz of Lincolnshire sent $1,000 to Blagojevich's campaign fund in April. Like the other contributors, he was surprised at the level of wrongdoing Blagojevich is accused of committing.
"I'll tell you what," Schwartz said. "It's just really sad we're looking at a second governor going to a federal facility."
•Staff writer Russell Lissau contributed to this report.