Kirk wants to keep fed money from Blagojevich

Washington lawmakers are working on a major economic stimulus plan that could funnel hundreds of millions of dollars to Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Illinois.

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, a Highland Park Republican, wants to stop that from happening - at least insofar as it involves the governor. He plans to introduce an amendment in the House this week that would direct any economic stimulus for Illinois go to the state legislature for disbursement and not the governor, unless Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn takes over.

"You would not want to have him with broad ability to allocate these federal funds," Kirk said Monday. "That sets up the potential for a big departing gift."

While there is precedent for directing federal funds to a legislature and not the governor, Congress has never before sought to bar one state's chief executive from managing such funds, Kirk says.

The economic stimulus package currently being worked on could go into effect by Feb. 12. Lawmakers in Illinois hope to oust Blagojevich before then, but unforeseen delays in an impeachment trial could prevent that.

It remains unclear if Kirk, a member of the House's minority party, will have a shot at passing his amendment. Kirk said he plans to work with Democratic leaders on it today .