Sox Shuffle Continues
Friday Afternoon Diversion
Jay-Z Announces 2010 Tour Dates. Chicago Not On List.
I Fight Dragon$
"Batman" Headline Is a Stretch, But Prison Escape Story Could Be Its Own Movie
Governor Blagojevich promised $1 million to help rebuild Pilgrim Baptist Church after it burned down in 2006. But church officials say they haven't seen a dime, and even Blago's office admits the money went to an unrelated school that rented space from the church. They were sticking with that story until other local politicians jumped in to call Blago a liar and an opportunist, at which point our governor said he'd find another $1 million to actually give to the church.
From the AP:
His latest grant comes from available capital money he doesn't think has been earmarked for other purposes.Blagojevich says lawmakers don't need to approve the move.
Fully repairing the church will cost about $10 million. State money can't go to rebuilding the church itself, but Blago says it can go to repairing administrative offices and an adjacent school. [S-T, AP]
Previously: Interview with a Pilgrim Baptist Church Parishioner
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
Since it's unconstitutional under the Illinois Constitution to give a church tax money, I'm glad they didn't get any.
If the building is never rebuilt, tough shit!
Lots of landmarks burn down, nothing is forever!
Scooter,
You dont really believe something as minor as a law will stop Blago in his quest to have at least a few people like him.
It's not just a religious landmark.
It's also one of Louis Sullivan's masterpieces from the Chicago School of Architecture and the birthplace of Gospel Music.
I'd want them to rebuild... hater or not.
Well if state funds go to rebuild then let’s put the building to use for the people of Illinois, instead of some rich off the congregation Minister who drives a Jag purchased from the "Love offerings" of his congregation. If they want to keep the church then pay for it out of the “Love Offerings”
Plubbum82:
I'd love to see it rebuilt too. But I don't want state dollars to pay for that. Honestly, there are much better uses for the 1 million (oops) 2 million dollars. Not to mention the fact that private money has been coming in since the fire.
This is crass politics on Governor Haircut's part. He's trying to show he cares about the black community. Insuring reliable public education and public transportation are far more important than preserving landmarks.
Blago is such a liar, liar, liar and a professional at CYA
This story is getting more interesting all the time. School director getting a pardon from the Gov., School not actually being open for buisness. School losing some sex abuse case, Million dollars unaccounted for. Hope this gets looked into a little more.
I know this is gonna sound naively stupid, but I just can’t believe he could be soo **&^^%^%$#@!)(*&&! Stupid!!!!! Seriously, I just don’t get it!
he really does believe he can do whatever he wants. The gov is an egomaniac. all it does is cost us millions.