Illinois: Labor unions a little late with their contributions
According to the Southern Illinoisan:
Labor unions have been pushing hard this year to get a statewide construction plan in place and new records show they've been backing up their talk with wheelbarrows full of cash.
Fundraising reports filed Monday show three labor unions shoveled more than $311,000 into Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaign account in the first half of the year.
The Laborer's union was the biggest donor among them, giving the governor $166,000. They have been out front on the issue, mainly because of the jobs a $34 billion public works plan would create.
The Bloomington-based Illinois Pipe Trades organization, which represents plumbers and pipefitters and other construction workers, funneled Blagojevich $120,000.
The Teamsters trucked in an additional $25,000.
There's nothing sinister about the contributions. Blagojevich has routinely hauled in the big bucks from Big Labor.
But, there is something curious about the timing of the money dump. Most of the cash from the organizations was doled out in June, after the General Assembly's spring session had ended without a statewide construction plan in place.
You might say they gave Blagojevich a lot of cash after it was too late.
Sweet tooth
Not all campaign money was spent on lost causes.
According to fundraising reports, state Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, spent $354 on candy to toss at youngsters during parades.
He wasn't alone.
State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, tallied up a $514 candy bill, while state Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, spent $374 on sweets in the first half of the year.
Although it doesn't mention candy, state Rep. Keith Sommer, R-Mackinaw, reported spending $170 on parade supplies. Heck, that could be anything from walking shoes to little American flags...click to continue.
