FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 11, 2006

WHITNEY ISSUES STATEMENT ON REZKO INDICTMENT

CONTACT:
Jennifer Rose, Campaign Manager
Whitney for Governor, 618-528-VOTE
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Tim Tacker, Communications Director
Whitney for Governor, 815-735-6139
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Rich Whitney, the Green Party's candidate for Illinois Governor, issued the following statement regarding today's federal indictment of Antoin “Tony” Rezko, a top fundraiser, friend, and adviser to Governor Rod Blagojevich:

"This indictment simply underscores what the Green Party and this campaign have been saying all along--we need to clean up politics in Illinois.

I want to eliminate pay to play politics in Illinois by banning all corporate campaign contributions, prohibiting campaign contributions by those who do business with the state, and ending Illinois's reputation as the wild-west of campaign finance by placing reasonable limits on other campaign contributions.  We are already setting a good example by voluntarily refusing all corporate campaign contributions in this campaign.  Government is one thing that should not be corporate sponsored.

The people of the State of Illinois are tired of corruption and scandal within both political parties.  Every day we hear something new.  Governor Blagojevich has a right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty; however, with so much smoke, it is understandable that the voters suspect that there might also be fire.

To prevent this from happening in the future, if elected, I promise to appoint an Inspector General from an opposition political party.  I will also adopt a policy against the awarding of any no-bid contracts.  This campaign is standing up for a clean environment and clean government.  When you think Green, think clean."

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