Should Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich face penalities for spending $5,800 on commuting?

Yes

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by Adam Woodworth

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The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Governor Rod Blagojevich flies from his home in Chicago, Illinois to Springfield (the capitol of Illinois) daily at a price tag of $5,800 per day. In two five-day weeks, he'll rack up a commute of $58,000. This is more than most teachers' annual salaries and exceeds the average income in the state of Illinois.

As an Illinois resident, voter, and taxpayer, I feel violated by what, on the outside, seems to be the lack of fiscal responsibility being exhibited by the top politician in my state. There is even a Governor's Mansion in Springfield and governors in the past have either lived there or were there at least while the Legislature was in session; but, not Governor Rod Blagojevich. He's a father and husband first... and I do admire that.

You know, I get that being away from your family for any extended amount of time stinks. I've had to do this... but I wonder if it is the right thing to do. Maybe I could learn a valuable lesson from the Governor. I understand that you might not want to uproot your children and family to move into the Governor's Mansion in Springfield. But, i am concerned about the amount being spent on the Chicago-Springfield commute.

Is there an easy fix to this? Too many times we forget that people in office are just that... people. We somehow too often forget this. In the case of our governor, we must remember that he is a family man. But... should the taxpayers allow this type of commute to continue or should they, do something about it?

I honestly do not know the answer. Should he face penalties? Not sure if penalties is the right word but perhaps a conversation with the voters to ask them what they think about it would be appropriate. Would I like to see this price tag reduced. Sure. Would I like to see a better education funding system? Yes. I don't know how we address this issue. I prefer to have a governor who is a career family man and not a career politician at the helm of the state... but am I willing to pay the price of that? Not entirely.

We do ask a lot from our elected officials. Let's develop a plan that is fair to all. I think the Rotary's 4-way test applies here:

Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Does it build goodwill and friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

This simple test should be applied to any plan that we look at for our governor's commute. First, is it the truth? Do we really know the true cost of this commute? Is this fair to all concerned? Probably not the taxpayers. Does it build goodwill and friendships? Well, not with the public at large, but it does with his wife and children (and that is admirable). Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Probbaly not the taxpayers.

So where is the compromise that is fair to both?

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