Edward CEO a hero in corruption mess

With the recent allegations regarding the Governor, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has stated, "Illinois needs more heroes. We need more politicians, government workers and players in the political system who are willing to drop a dime when they see something that smells."

We have one such hero who did just that in the Plainfield region, Edward Hospital CEO Pam Davis. It was in 2003 when Davis alerted federal authorities that she was approached by a representative of the Illinois Health Facility Planning Board (IHFPB) with an illegal shakedown scheme that dictated the use of a specific contractor as the only way to gain state approval for building a hospital. It was Pam Davis who came forward and worked with federal investigators to bring to light the rampant corruption in the IHFPB led by Stewart Levine. This valiant effort led to the conviction of Stewart Levine which subsequently led to his testimony against Tony Rezko. But this effort was at great risk as the previous corrupt Board was clear that approval would never be given if the Edward organization did not play the game. Even today, after numerous applications and subsequent denials by the IHFPB for the proposed hospital, the Edward organization continues to seek approval. It is only now that we are seeing the full house of cards come crashing down with the recent allegations of the governor putting all elements of his authority up for sale. This includes health care issues, as evident by reports of his effort to withhold funds to a children's hospital, and raises questions on how far we have really come since corruption was first brought to light in 2003. Pam Davis did her part by standing up for that which is right and should be applauded for her courageous effort.

James Testin

Joliet