Pilgrim Baptist Never Got Blago's Promised $1 Million

By Margaret Lyons in News on Mar 3, 2008 11:06PM

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