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Illinois: While workers picket, governor's office takes little action

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By Kartikay Mehrotra | Wednesday, May 21, 2008 |

SPRINGFIELD — While some 100 Illinois Department of Transportation employees picketed and protested Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s plan to ship their jobs downstate Wednesday, his own office has yet to start an official search for a new home for the workers in southern

Illinois.

Unless the state already owns property in the region, it is the Department of Central Management Services’ role to seek out bids for a new building.

That doesn’t appear to be the case. The state Web site that publishes all state contracts up for bid does not include a contract for IDOT office space in southern Illinois.

“All relevant procedures will be followed if applicable,” IDOT spokesman Brian Williamsen said in an email.

When asked if the state already owns a building along the I-57 corridor south of 64, Williamsen said, “I am not aware of this.”

Since very little has officially been done to execute the move, state Sen. Larry Bomke wonders if it is very likely at all.

“It appears that this decision to move people was made on a whim,” said Bomke, who is opposed to moving the employees out of his district. “That there is no plan is a good indication that this was not based on any long-term planning.”

Since Blagojevich’s decision was made public, the approximately 110 employees who could be forced to relocate or find new jobs have been adamant in their opposition.

On Wednesday, a contingent of IDOT employees and their families protested Blagojevich’s initiative to spur the downstate economy by relocating their jobs.

“We’re definitely taking it to heart, it’s threatening our jobs, it’s threatening our families and it’s threatening the community of Springfield,” said office associate John Paris. “This move just makes no sense whatsoever.”

Democratic state Sen. Gary Forby’s hometown of Benton has frequently been mentioned as most likely of all the communities where the office could land.

Kartikay Mehrotra may be reached at 217-789-0865 or via e-mail at Kartikay.Mehrotra@lee.net. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.