From the Bloomington Pantagraph:

ComEd part of corruption investigation
By Kurt Erickson
SPRINGFIELD -- Officials at the state’s largest electric utility have been interviewed as part of a federal corruption investigation with ties to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
A spokeswoman for ComEd, which serves 3.8 million customers in Northern Illinois, acknowledged the company’s involvement in the probe Thursday, which has targeted Christopher Kelly, a friend and former advisor to the governor.
“We have cooperated fully with investigators regarding the case,” said spokeswoman Arlana Johnson.
Kelly, 49, has pleaded not guilty in federal court to charges of tax fraud for using business funds to pay for personal expenses, such as gambling debts.
Kelly’s roofing company, BCI Roofing, began doing roofing work for ComEd in 2003, the same year Blagojevich took office as the first Democrat governor in 25 years.
Kelly’s relationship with ComEd is noted in an indictment issued Dec. 13. ComEd is not, however, referred to by name in the indictment. Rather, it is called an “electric company.” The indictment does not accuse the company of any wrongdoing.
In his role as fundraiser and advisor to Blagojevich, Kelly was accused in 2005 by the governor’s father-in-law, Chicago Alderman Richard Mell, of trading campaign contributions for seats on state boards and commissions.
The allegation was later retracted by Mell under the threat of a lawsuit by Kelly. But, it triggered investigations by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Cook County State’s Attorney Richard Devine.
ComEd is regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission, whose five members are appointed by Blagojevich and confirmed by the state Senate.
Johnson said BCI was one of multiple roofing contractors that worked on some of the more than 850 ComEd buildings spread across Chicago and other parts of northern Illinois.
The company said the roofing work performed on its facilities by BCI Roofing was necessary and the work met ComEd standards.
An attorney for Kelly did not respond to requests for information.
Randall Samborn, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago, declined comment Thursday.