Fast food bad for political health

Cross-posted at Lincoln’s Logs

The Feds are at it again, this time looking at whether or not fast food chains linked to Tony Rezko received “lucrative leases” at the newly opened tollway oases.

According to Joseph Ryan of the Daily Herald:

Federal prosecutors are examining exactly how fast-food chains with links to one of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s top fundraisers landed lucrative leases at the newly opened tollway oases.

A federal grand jury recently subpoenaed an array of information from the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority regarding contracts with Subway, Panda Express and other oasis vendors, documents obtained by the Daily Herald show.

This latest subpoena expands U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s already wide-ranging probe of state hiring and contracting practices that has tarnished the reform mantra Blagojevich used to win election in 2002.

In addition to the tollway, the state’s transportation department, prison system, child welfare agency and even the governor’s office have been hit with federal subpoenas. Added to the mix are late-summer allegations contained in a federal plea agreement that Blagojevich and two top fundraisers devised a scheme to reward campaign donors with consulting fees and investment deals at the suburban and downstate teachers pension fund, a charge the administration steadfastly denies.

And this all comes as Blagojevich heads into an election year after promising voters he’d change “business as usual.”

Well, just what Rod needed before launching his re-election campaign, another Federal Investigation. Will the Governor ever realize that Rezko is a cancer on his administration?