Posted on 10/18/2019 12:30:11 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Dive Brief:
Illinois State Sen. Martin Sandoval has resigned from his position as chair of the State Senate's Transportation Committee amid a federal fraud and corruption investigation related to state construction work, the Associated Press reported. The Democratic senator is still listed as a member of the committee, however, as of Oct. 15.
The move came after the details of a federal search warrant revealed that the FBI last month combed Sandoval's offices and home for information related to architect Cesar Santoy; Santoy's architecture firm, Studio ARQ; red-light camera program company SafeSpeed; lobbyists; construction companies; and employees of the Illinois DOT in a quest for "items related to any official action taken in exchange for a benefit." No one has been charged in the matter, and SafeSpeed representatives have denied any wrongdoing. Santoy has also resigned from his position with the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors.
Sandoval played a significant role in the development of Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker's $45 billion Rebuild Illinois construction initiative, signed into law July 1. The plan is being funded by gas and cigarette tax increases, as well as the revenue generated by an expansion of state gambling laws. One of the companies mentioned in the search warrant was video gambling company Gold Rush Amusements.
Dive Insight:
The Rebuild Illinois construction plan includes pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, the latter of which is aimed at the state's public works sector; a provision intended to encourage diversity in hiring among contractors; a workforce program; and incentives for data center owners to build in the state. The biggest winners, though, are likely the contractors, engineers and designers of the $33.2 billion worth of infrastructure projects eyed, which will include new construction and repair of roads and bridges, mass transit projects and other transportation-related undertakings.
(Excerpt) Read more at constructiondive.com ...
Illinois state senator quits powerful panel amid FBI probe (10/15/19)
PING!
Ill annoy government is LOADED with gonefs.
When it comes to Illinois government, the question isn’t WHO is corrupt, the question is, who ISN’T ?
[When it comes to Illinois government, the question isn’t WHO is corrupt, the question is, who ISN’T ?]
Both of them probably don’t want their names revealed.
From the article: Speaking to reporters in Chicago, Pritzker said Santoy’s “very thorough” background check didn’t turn up any concerns. But, the governor added, “Corruption and self-dealing are unacceptable and it will be rooted out, whether it’s in my administration or in the Legislature.”
Poor fellow - soon will have no administration or legislature to work with. However, last week he proposed a Five Year Program to MIGA (Make Illinois Great Again) https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20191011/pritzker-introduces-five-year-economic-plan-touts-strong-job-growth
which does nothing to make Illinois more business friendly but relies on the success of Trump’s national program.
Democrat
The ones currently in Witness Protection?
Thanks fieldmarshaldj.
Hopefully this is the opening shot in the Midway Airport “improvement Project” investigation. Speculation is the wire on Danny Solis that caught Ed Burke was part of the investigation on the $$Millions being stolen from the Midway Project. Since Sandoval controlled all of the no-bid concrete contracts, he would be tied into the investigation. Get em all.
No-bid concrete contracts? WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG??? #CrumbingRunways #CollapsingTerminals
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