PONTIAC, IL After visiting with U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and meeting with Federal Bureau of Investigations agents, State
Senator Dan Rutherford is urging Illinois Department of Corrections and
Governor's Office staff to come forward -- as he did -- with
information relating to the closure of Pontiac Correctional Center
(PCC) which may be questionable or could fit into a larger scheme.
"Information came to me that caused me pause. I shared it with investigators," Sen. Rutherford said. "Since the closure of Pontiac
was announced it was obvious the decision was not made as a planned
effort to improve the correctional system. Information to the contrary
came to me from a variety of sources and I have shared all of it with
agents working in this ongoing federal investigation"
"The
arrest of Governor Blagojevich and Chief of Staff John Harris
highlights our worst suspicions about how policy decisions may have
been made by his Administration. It appears that corruption and
conspiracy may have permeated even the most important public policy
decisions," Rutherford said. "An egregious example of this may have been their drive to shutter PCC or what it would have taken to keep it open," Rutherford said.
"I
am asking those who have knowledge of inappropriate activity
surrounding this flawed decision to provide information to the U.S.
Attorney," he said. The U.S. Attorney's Office is fielding calls at its Chicago office, 312-353-5300.
"Corrections
staff should not be afraid to come forward with information for federal
authorities. There is only one way to clear the clouds of doubt and
deception that have descended on Illinois and that is for brave men and women to speak up," Rutherford
said. "Assistants, upper level administrators, and even Director Roger
Walker can play a role, if they have information that sheds light on
the Pontiac Correctional Center closure plan which may be corrupt and jeopardizes public safety throughout Illinois."