Illinois Coalition For Public Awareness

With the current problems our Governor faces, many new questions arise around the many roadblocks we have been presented in the past five years. But perhaps the most interesting seemed like the least relevant at the time. After contacting the then recently formed Office of the Illinois Inspector General Z. Scott in May of 2003, her office ordered internal inquiries of the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Capital Development Board into my allegations. They were both given 180 days to comply and to provide a response to the IG's office. IG Scott also indicated she would refer the matter to the Illinois State Police.

While I did not wait around for a response, I continued seeking any and every avenue imaginable to head off the corruption that was going unchecked in our district. On October 10th, 2003, I decided to call the IG's office to see if there was any update from the ISBE or CDB. Much to my surprise and disgust, I was advised by First Deputy Inspector General Deborah Steiner that the investigation had been dropped. When I asked why, she stated that the Governor's office tells them who to investigate and they were told not to investigate this issue. I called back later that day and requested the name of the person in the Governor's office who advised them to drop the investigation.

Within days, I received a letter dated September 30th, 2003 that read as follows:
Re: Complaint Number 03-00183

Dear Mr. Ferguson:

We received and have reviewed your complaint. The Office of Inspector General was created by the Governor to investigate misconduct in the agencies, boards and commissions directly responsible to the Governor. We recently learned from the Governor's office that the State Board of Education does not fall within that jurisdiction. Accordingly, we are unable to investigate your complaint. We have referred the information you provided to the Illinois State Board of Education.
The letter was signed by First Deputy IG Steiner.

The interesting part is that no mention was made of the Capital Development Board whom the Governor did have direct jurisdiction over. Instead, the entire investigation was dropped. Had that investigation continued, it would have led directly to persons who not only helped create the School Construction Program but who continued to benefit immensely from their involvement in pushing through projects that were never approved by local voters in their respective district. By the time this investigation had started (and ended), one of the key people had left the ISBE and joined the private sector (one of the same banks that courted our district) to begin peddling bonds for what would soon become the Illinois Finance Authority.

In January of 2004, Governor Blagojevich announced the creation of the IFA, which is a privately held state agency, with Ali Ata (Rezko co-defendant) appointed as director. The IFA was formed by consolidating a host of State Authorities that handled various aspects of financing public and private projects. In other words, billions of dollars of public financing have now been funneled to a very small handful of private companies. Some of the same people who were so instrumental in perpetuating the School Construction Program across the state continue to benefit through their affiliation with the IFA, either directly or as a supporting entity such as bond underwriters or bond counsel.

Throughout our entire ordeal, the last thing we wanted to do was to sue our district which was effectively suing ourselves. However, as our knowledge of the scope of the corruption grew, it became obvious that no one was interested in helping us. When our suit was filed, 7th Circuit Judge Lois Bell basically said that since we made no effort to stop the construction project in our district, we were prejudicing the district by filing after the buildings were completed. But perhaps the most revealing statement made during our legal battle was one made by 4th Appellate Judge Robert Steigmann.

Judge Steigmann, while chastising our attorney and the taxpayers of Jersey County, pointed out that there are roughly 1000 school districts in Illinois. He went on to state that to rule in favor of the taxpayers of Jersey County could cripple the entire Public Education System in Illinois. Quite a quantum leap when our suit only challenged our local issue. We made no mention of the 250 other questionable projects across the state, but at least our suspicions were confirmed. And now, there is no doubt in my mind how right we are considering what we continue to learn about Governor Blagojevich and friends. My only question is how much of this could have been avoided had someone had the integrity to pursue our original complaints?