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Illinois politicians can no longer put names on road signs By Monique Garcia Clout Street 1:20 p.m. CDT, June 16, 2011 Gov. Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law preventing state officials from putting their name or likeness on taxpayer funded signs. The measure was a response to Gov. Rod Blagojevich's decision years ago to plaster his name on nearly three dozen signs on the Illinois Tollway at what Quinn said was a cost of almost $500,000. "Sometimes there are those in politics and public office who want to glorify themselves at public expense, and I don't think that's right, I don't think the public feels that's what Democracy is about," Quinn said during bill signing ceremony at the Cermak Toll Plaza on Interstate 294, which used to display Blagojevich's name. Lawmakers tried twice before to pass such a ban but failed. The measure goes into effect immediately, and expands on existing law that prohibits public officials from promoting themselves in public service announcements such as TV ads, bumper stickers and other promotional items for state services. "There are very meritorious programs and services that we provide in the state of Illinois, and we should be promoting those programs, but we shouldn't be promoting the politicians," said freshman Rep. Chris Nybo, a Republican from Elmhurst who sponsored the legislation. The state law only applies to state-funded signs, though Quinn said he hopes local officials take note of the state's example. |