From the Daily Herald

Ex-state workers' lawsuit says firing was political
9/22/2004

Associated Press (via Daily Herald)
Posted Wednesday, September 22, 2004
SPRINGFIELD - Seventeen former state transportation employees have filed a federal lawsuit claiming they were fired after Gov. Rod Blagojevich took office as part of a plan to get rid of employees affiliated with former Gov. George Ryan.
The lawsuit filed Monday is, according to the former employees' attorney, the latest chapter in a running battle between Blagojevich and dozens of state employees who were terminated after the Democratic governor succeeded Ryan, a Republican.
According to the lawsuit, the employees were seen as political opponents of the governor, who went so far as to direct the "hiring of individuals on contract with the State of Illinois for the purpose of identifying employees in State agencies that could be targeted for firing based on alleged affiliation" with Ryan's administration.
Matt Vanover, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation, said the employees were laid off as part of a reorganization effort to streamline the department's operations and had "nothing to do with anyone's political affiliation."
Named as defendants are Secretary of Transportation Timothy Martin and two IDOT officials. They are Michael Stout, deputy director of the bureau of finance and administration, and Scott Doubet, bureau chief of personnel management.
Blagojevich was not named in the lawsuit because no evidence has been uncovered that he was directly involved in the layoffs, said Carl Draper, an attorney representing the former employees.
The 17 employees received letters this year in which they were told IDOT was "undergoing material reorganizations" and that their positions were being "targeted for abolishment," according to the lawsuit.
But the lawsuit contends that some of the positions could not be legally abolished under state law. Further, not only were employees told in layoff notices that there were no vacancies available, but also that people who contributed money to Blagojevich, the state's Democratic Party and other Democratic candidates were hired for positions that "had the same job duties as the positions held by some or all of the plaintiffs."
Draper said the firings were part of an effort to get rid of state employees in various agencies who were viewed as loyal to the Ryan administration. After he took office, the Blagojevich administration fired dozens of state employees over a paperwork maneuver to protect them from being replaced by the new governor.
Many of the employees have since dropped their efforts to get their jobs back after reaching settlements with the state. Some of the former employees are still fighting their termination. Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.