Gaming Board members blast Blagojevich for meddling

Friday, Feb. 25, 2005 | 9:20 a.m.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The two remaining members of the inactive Illinois Gaming Board took their complaints about Gov. Rod Blagojevich to state lawmakers Thursday, blasting the governor for hampering the board's work.

Board members Gary Peterlin and William Dugan told a House gambling committee that Blagojevich's administration has repeatedly interfered with the board. The administration has handed out contracts and hired board employees without permission, they said.

They also complained that Blagojevich used friend and adviser Chris Kelly, who is not on the state payroll, to control negotiations over the fate of a defunct 10th riverboat license.

Blagojevich acknowledges asking Kelly to monitor the Gaming Board for him, but the governor's office said it is ridiculous to accuse Kelly of making threats.

The board members also told lawmakers they were outraged the board hasn't been legally able to meet since last August because there are only two members on the five-member board. That has cost the state millions of dollars in tax revenue and hurt the progress of at least three construction projects at casinos that could provide jobs and boost local economies, they argued.

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