Quinn Appoints Clout Commission To Investigate U of I

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jun 11, 2009 7:00PM

When we mentioned the Trib's investigation into a "clout list" for admissions to the University of Illinois, several readers expressed what's best described as a lack of shock. Pulling strings to gain admittance to a college is certainly nothing new, but if Governor Quinn has his way, it'll soon be a thing of the past. Yesterday, Quinn announced a new seven-member "clout commission" to investigate the shenanigans going on at the University of Illinois which will be led by retired federal Judge Abner Mikva. The panel will be able to investigate the list and must issue a report to the governor within 60 days. Per the Tribune:

President B. Joseph White said in a statement: "The Commission will have access to everybody and everything it needs to conduct its work. Any request or directive from the Commission is to be treated as the highest priority and responses are to be timely."

Quinn demanded similar cooperation from university trustees.

"If someone decides to get in the way of this commission, they are asking for big trouble from me," the governor said.

The Tribune also published a database listing lawmakers who have made requests for the list. State House Speaker Mike Madigan leads the way with 43 requests made (27 were accepted, 10 rejected, 6 unaccounted for).