Ill. Gov. Questioned Over $1,500 Check

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, left, and his GOP opponent, Judy Baar Topinka, prepare for a debate taping in a Chicago studio in this May 26, 2006, file photo. Blagojevich has endured a steady stream of negative headlines as he runs for a second term, but a $1,500 gift to his daughter is getting some voters talking as Election Day approaches. The money was from a lifelong Blagojevich friend, and it arrived soon after the friend's wife got a state job despite receiving a failing grade on her application. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, file) (Charles Rex Arbogast - AP)

Still, the notion of a $1,500 check for a child seems fishy to some voters.

"You can go buy her something, or a gift card or whatever," said Matthew Sardo, owner of a Chicago comic book shop.

Chicagoan Robert Douglas said he doesn't believe Blagojevich, especially given Illinois' tawdry history of political corruption.

"Every time I look around, another politician is doing something," the 48-year-old customer service representative said. "Look at George Ryan _ they finally caught up with him."

Blagojevich has not been charged with any crime, but U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said this summer that he is investigating "very serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud" in the Blagojevich administration.

Also, the state auditor has issued report after report alleging mismanagement by Blagojevich _ including spending $1 million on a prescription-drug program that violates federal law and agreeing to import foreign flu vaccine even after being told the vaccine would not be allowed into the country.

The Blagojevich administration has denied any wrongdoing, saying any management problems were minor flaws in ambitious attempts to improve the lives of Illinoisans. Blagojevich's defenders also note that he helped pass some of the most important ethics legislation in Illinois history.

Pollster Del Ali said the check furor might sway voters in a tight race. But this one isn't close, with the polls sometimes showing Blagojevich with a double-digit lead. "I don't think this thing is going to stick at all," Ali said.

R. O'Donnell, who owns a Chicago media public relations company, said the gift doesn't matter to him, and he plans to vote for Blagojevich.

"His record speaks," O'Donnell said.