By AP/KWMU
Chicago – A published report says Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich collected five-figure donations to his campaign fund within days of meeting with some contributors.
Some of those donors held state contracts or landed them after the meetings, according to documents obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Blagojevich says his office is scrupulous about not giving donors specicl access. He says he has no influence on which companies receive state contracts.
The governor says he did not solicit money on state property or with state resources, which would be illegal.
The governor has repeatedly declared his independence from special interests, and his promise to clean up state government was the centerpiece of his gubernatorial campaign.