AP via Tribune:

AP Interview: Blagojevich defends track record on ethics

By CHRISTOPHER WILLS
Associated Press Writer
Published March 4, 2006, 1:02 PM CST

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich says he doesn't need to
change his behavior to counter the perception that his administration
favors campaign donors and political insiders.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Blagojevich endorsed
stronger ethics laws but said he doesn't plan any changes himself,
such as rejecting campaign contributions from state contractors.

His approach to ethics: "Keep working at policing, keep working at
building on the successes that we've had, keep working to make sure we
stay vigilant every single day. But this is what I've done since I've
been governor, so it's really nothing different."

He contended most Illinoisans are more concerned about education,
health care and other issues related to "their struggles and their
challenges" than about ethics.

Blagojevich swept into office as a reformer, promising to clean up
government after decades of Republican control. But his practice of
giving jobs and contracts to political insiders has led to accusations
that government corruption is simply continuing under the Democrats.

Blagojevich denied two members of his kitchen Cabinet -- Christopher
Kelly and Antoin "Tony" Rezko -- have benefited financially from their
ties to him, although their relatives and business associates have
gotten state money. In fact, the two have missed out on opportunities
by agreeing not to do business with the state, Blagojevich said.

"You can argue their quality of life has gone down since they've been
helping me, and as a friend I feel very bad about the position I put
them in," Blagojevich said.

And giving jobs to people with political connections, he said, just
proves that his administration doesn't turn away talented people as it
seeks to hire the best and the brightest.

Blagojevich can take credit for a major step forward on government ethics.

One of the highlights of his first year on the job was passing the
strongest ethics law in Illinois history. It created a system of
inspectors to root out corruption, limited the size of gifts that
officials can accept and strengthened protection for government
whistleblowers.

He called last year for an ethics law that would "rock the system" by
limiting the size of campaign contributions, requiring lobbyists to
disclose their salaries and strictly limiting lawmakers' outside
incomes.

But he has dropped any public push for his proposal. Blagojevich said
he still supports it but "you've got to pick your spots and pick your
battles."

Meanwhile, Blagojevich awards contracts to campaign donors and
companies using one of his friends as a lobbyist. He hires relatives
of political pals and gives important positions to people with
financial ties to his supporters. And he hasn't been shy about using
state programs to promote his name.

Prosecutors at the county, state and federal level are reviewing
hiring and other administration activities.

A kickback scheme involving contracts at the Teachers Retirement
System produced a guilty plea that included allegations of money being
used to reward supporters of a high-ranking official -- identified as
Blagojevich by individuals familiar with the investigation.

Blagojevich hasn't been charged with any crime and he denies any
wrongdoing, but he has left himself open to accusations -- mostly from
Republicans but even from some Democrats -- that he is just another
politician unethically manipulating the system.

Cynthia Canary, executive director of the Campaign for Political
Reform, said she was disappointed by Blagojevich's remarks. She
praised his leadership on ethics laws but said he should show "a
renewed commitment" to cleaning up his administration.

"None of us are perfect," Canary said. "There are always times when we
can do a better job, and it's a little frustrating to hear that
precluded."

She said Blagojevich is free to associate with and take advice from
whomever he wants, but there could be a political price. "We're judged
by the company we keep," she said.

Blagojevich keeps company with John Wyma, his former aide who has
become a successful Springfield lobbyist, and Kelly and Rezko, two
businessmen who have helped Blagojevich raise millions of dollars.

All three will help his re-election campaign but would probably play
little role in a second term, he said. Kelly and Rezko helped
Blagojevich organize his first term, placing friends and business
associates in posts such as head of the state commerce department.

Later, Kelly was accused by Blagojevich's father-in-law, Richard Mell,
of arranging for people to get appointments in exchange for campaign
contributions -- an accusation Mell retracted under threat of a
lawsuit.

Meanwhile, two of Rezko's business partners secured the lucrative
rights to operate restaurants at rest stops on the state tollway
system. Two others gave $25,000 each to Blagojevich's campaign after
the governor appointed them to a panel that regulates hospital
construction. And the city of Chicago said Rezko used minority fronts
for a business venture at O'Hare airport.

"Chris and Tony ... receive no benefit whatsoever from any kind of
state work or state business," Blagojevich said. "These guys are both,
in my personal experience with them, both honest people, good people."

Blagojevich also defended his administration's hiring, including an
internship program where at least one-third of the slots went to
people with political ties to Blagojevich and other Democrats.

"We want to get the best and the brightest, the most qualified people
we can get," he said. "If you're active in politics, that doesn't
necessarily qualify you, but it doesn't necessarily exclude you. You
should have the same opportunity as people who weren't active in the
political process."

A Chicago Tribune poll last month found that 70 percent of Democrats
and 68 percent of Republicans considered corruption a very important
issue in deciding whom they will back in the governor's race.

Blagojevich said voters are right to be consider ethics a priority.

"In order for any relationship to work, it ought to be built on
honesty and integrity, whether it's between a husband and wife, a
parent and child ... or an elected official and the constituents," he
said. "That's a given."