My Governor the Crook
Oh, come on...

SPRINGFIELD -- When Gov. Rod Blagojevich's budget chief was staying overnight in the capital city last spring, he rarely charged the state for the cost of a hotel room.

Rather, John Filan, director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, headed to an apartment rented mainly with state tax money.

Filan, who is based in Chicago, was among at least six aides to the governor who took advantage of a perk that allows state workers to get a taxpayer-funded housing subsidy when they are traveling.

A review of state travel records by The Pantagraph found, for example, the rule allowed two aides to each pay less than $180 per month for an apartment near the state Capitol. The apartment rents for $1,265 per month.

The administration defends the practice, saying it is cheaper to help Chicago-based employees with rental costs than it is to house workers in hotel rooms.

It seems to me that it would be cheaper to move into the Governor's Mansion that the state pays for for expressly this purpose. Being Governor of a state, you'd think, would entail moving to that state's capital.

This is the same defense Blago used when he was caught hijacking the Department of Corrections to record, analyze, and report on media coverage of his reign of terror. "It's cheaper than hiring private companies to do it!"

As Miniluv points out, you'd be hard pressed to spend $1,265/month on an apartment in Springfield. I can live on the Chicago lakeshore for that kind of money. In fact, there are no listings on Apartments.com in Springfield for over $600. I wonder where the rest of that money might've gone...

Another cog in the machine says it's actually a noble act:

Carroll said workers like herself are making a financial sacrifice that actually saves the state money. "I make more money than some average people do. Because I really enjoy being a public servant, I'm willing to incur a little extra fiscal distress" by paying rent in two cities, she said.

The numbers don't add up, unless by 'financial distress' she means '$0'.

Last spring, Carroll, who officially resides in Chicago, charged the state $975 to help pay for a $325-per-month Springfield apartment during the final months of the General Assembly's legislative session.

$325x3 months=$975. Cute.

Weasels, all.