Inside Blago's Jobs Machine: A special report

Even though Rod Blagojevich imposed a hiring freeze immediately after taking office, that didn't mean those with clout weren't able to place favored applicants into state jobs.

Blagojevich's office maintained a secret jobs database that I acquired. It offered an unprecedented glimpse into how favored applicants pushed by top state lawmakers, campaign donors and even the owner of a Chicago strip club were placed by Blagojevich's administration into jobs where politics wasn't suppose to be a factor.

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Stories:

Inside Blago's Jobs Machine: A Special Report (10/16/2009)
Begging for jobs; 28 in Senate, 53 in House are listed as making personnel requests; Records show that many of the lawmakers who voted to kick the gov out of office came to him early on . . . (10/18/2009)
DeLeo shown sponsoring widow of mob boss; Senator says list is incorrect (10/18/2009)
Strip Club Clout? Four recommended by bar owner got hired by Blagojevich administration (10/19/2009)