Illinois Cannot Receive Stimulus Funds if Blagojevich is Still Governor

[Alex]

I am reading the stimulus package right now (officially called "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) and I found something very interesting.

Section 1112. Additional Assurance of Appropriate Use of Funds.
"None of the funds provided by this Act may be made available to the State of Illinois, or any agency of the State, unless (1) the use of such funds by the State is approved in legislation enacted by the State after the date of enactment of this Act, or (2) Rod R. Blagojevich no longer holds the office of Governor of the State of Illinois."

The State cannot receive any funds that were requested when Blagojevich was governor and may not get any as long as he stays governor.

Is this fair? Does the federal government have a right to tell citizens of a State who their governor cannot be? What could the purpose of this clause be? Is it in the Act for political reasons only? Should Illinois comply?

Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

 

[Arch Enemy]

I am reading the stimulus package right now (officially called "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) and I found something very interesting.

Section 1112. Additional Assurance of Appropriate Use of Funds.
"None of the funds provided by this Act may be made available to the State of Illinois, or any agency of the State, unless (1) the use of such funds by the State is approved in legislation enacted by the State after the date of enactment of this Act, or (2) Rod R. Blagojevich no longer holds the office of Governor of the State of Illinois."

The State cannot receive any funds that were requested when Blagojevich was governor and may not get any as long as he stays governor.

Is this fair? Does the federal government have a right to tell citizens of a State who their governor cannot be? What could the purpose of this clause be? Is it in the Act for political reasons only? Should Illinois comply?

Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

great find.

I would like to see how this pans out.

 

[SWM]

I believe what the statue is saying is that if Blagojevich is still governer at the time of enactment, he should not have any say in the use and distribution of the funds - that should be left to the state legislative office and/or a governor this is not a target of a pending investigation of his alleged willingness to use bribery as a common function of his office. It seems reasonable to me, although I think there is still a legitimate debate there about its fairness and motive.

 

[ludahai]

I am reading the stimulus package right now (officially called "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) and I found something very interesting.

Section 1112. Additional Assurance of Appropriate Use of Funds.
"None of the funds provided by this Act may be made available to the State of Illinois, or any agency of the State, unless (1) the use of such funds by the State is approved in legislation enacted by the State after the date of enactment of this Act, or (2) Rod R. Blagojevich no longer holds the office of Governor of the State of Illinois."

The State cannot receive any funds that were requested when Blagojevich was governor and may not get any as long as he stays governor.

Is this fair? Does the federal government have a right to tell citizens of a State who their governor cannot be? What could the purpose of this clause be? Is it in the Act for political reasons only? Should Illinois comply?

Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

What a gem you dug up. As much as I despise Blago, that is up to Illinois to determine what to do regarding Blago. I think this is excessive federal interference. No worries, Blago will be gone soon enough anyhow. As Blago says, "The Fix Is in"