Suburban lawmakers, officials react to indictment
SPRINGFIELD - Suburban politicians and area officials reacted Thursday to the indictment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich on sweeping corruption charges dating back to his first campaign for governor in 2002.
House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego:
"It just further tarnished the image of the state both here in Illinois and around the country."
State Rep. Eddie Washington, a Waukegan Democrat:
"The number of indictments did surprise me, 19 is a lot. For them to snatch up his brother I was a little bit surprised by that and I'm hoping that fate does not happen for his wife because the man has a family."
State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, a Des Plaines Republican:
"I think one of the saddest things about Blagojevich was he took a lot of people with him. Lon Monk is in Park Ridge and I represent Park Ridge and they just had a baby. It's sad."
State Rep. Jim Durkin, a Western Springs Republican:
"It's not surprising, but the fact that it's here ... I wasn't sure when this day would come. People should forget about Rod Blagojevich. They shouldn't give him the time of day. They shouldn't watch him on TV. They should turn the channel. If he writes a book, let it sit there and collect dust. We need to just forget about him. Let him go to trial. We've got bigger issues to deal with right now than Rod Blagojevich."
State Sen. John Millner, a Carol Stream Republican:
"While the indictment of former Governor Rod Blagojevich brings no surprises after the volume of evidence we examined during his impeachment trial, it's important that we be looking toward the future of how we can prevent such acts from occurring again."
DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett:
"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."
Former GOP nominee for governor Judy Baar Topinka:
"Rod Blagojevich rode into office on the promise of 'reform and renewal' and then presided over the most corrupt administration in Illinois history - and that is saying something. He has turned Illinois into a national punchline, shattered the public trust and left state government in financial ruins. And while he is gone from office, the sting of his tenure will not soon dissipate."