University of Illinois clout scandal

On May 29, 2009, the Chicago Tribune published "Clout Goes to College," an article detailing preferential consideration to applicants with connections to politicians and university trustees.

[2][3] A panel appointed by the governor to investigate the scandal found that the board of trustees had acted improperly and exerted continuing pressure on University officials.

'"[4] Many of the thousands of pages of e-mails and other documents released by the university in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request involved communication with Herman.

Upon first release, the most notable student to receive special consideration was a relative of Tony Rezko, who was convicted on sixteen charges of fraud and bribery and was a political contributor to then-governor Rod Blagojevich.

In one email, White wrote to Urbana chancellor Herman that Blagojevich "has expressed his support, and would like to see admitted" two applicants, including Rezko's relative.

The university had rejected the application of Rezko's relative earlier in the day, but later reversed the decision despite poor ACT scores.

[1] Other state officials implicated in providing special influence over admissions were Illinois Senate president John Cullerton,[1] House Speaker Michael Madigan,[5] state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias,[6] U.S. Representative Tim Johnson, and Illinois Representatives Bill Mitchell and Chapin Rose.

[11] On June 10, 2009, Illinois governor Pat Quinn announced that he appointed a panel to investigate the allegations, led by former judge Abner Mikva.

[20] On July 6, 2009, several law faculty collectively wrote an open letter to the Tribune, protesting the coverage as incomplete, biased and inflammatory.

The Southern Illinois University School of Law on the Carbondale campus revealed that Blagojevich submitted letters of recommendation for two students, but neither was admitted.

[23] The commission led by Mikva found that trustees, deans, White, and Herman, all contributed to "substantial...admission-related abuses and irregularities."