Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn has sent an open letter to Senate President Emil Jones to immediately call for a vote on House Bill 1 - "End Pay to Play" - a bill intended to cut off Governor Rod Blagojevich's primary source of support. Blagojevich has become notorious for the lucrative deals he has cut with his various political contributors for various public works projects all over the state, many times working the loopholes so millions are spent on no-bid contracts.

The $25 billion capital improvements bill could be held hostage in exchange for the Senate's vote on the bill aimed at curtailing corruption. With the horrendous condition of the state's highways, the danger of continuing to ignore more than 1500 bridges needing repair in Illinois, and the need to improve water and sewage processing plants all over the state, the battle will be a tough one.

I salute Quinn for having the guts to stand up and tell the Governor and Jones to get off their high horse for a change and do the right thing.