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Last updated 8:51 am CT February 09, 2010.

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Future of IDOT Move

HARRISBURG -- A judge ruled Monday that Attorney General Lisa Madigan should continue to represent the Governor in a lawsuit over the IDOT move. The Governor wanted outside counsel because he says Madigan's office has a conflict of interest. It's just the latest development since the Governor announced he would move IDOT's traffic safety division to Harrisburg. The Governor's decision has been surrounded by controversy from the beginning. Springfield lawmakers called for his impeachment, a government panel recommended against the move and a lawsuit now threatens to stop it. Despite all this supporters say they're still confident the move will happen.

The pictures took the internet by storm, IDOT's new home for the traffic safety division surrounded by water. It happened during last spring's floods that closed down more than 70 businesses in Harrisburg and caused an estimated four million dollars in damage. That had opponents of the IDOT move crying foul. And they filed suit against Governor Blagojevich, claiming it's against state law to purchase property that has suffered flood damage. But Tracey Wyatt, director of the Southeastern Illinois College Foundation that owns the building, says that's a laughable charge.

"This building never flooded and there are people in Springfield that are convinced it did and actually I find that humorous and enlightening because if that's what they're hanging their hat on then we've got this thing won," said Wyatt.

Wyatt says the controversy surrounding the floods has caused some major headaches. But he hopes future headaches can be avoided. City leaders are hoping that the damage caused by last spring's floods, won't happen to the town again, and now they're setting plans for new projects to keep the town dry. That includes possibly building a third pumping station in town or building a channel between the two existing drainage areas. Any costs would be paid using funds from tax increment financing, or TIF districts.

"Spending TIF money on trying to eliminate any kind of head water issues is a good thing," said Wyatt.

For now it's up to the courts to decide whether the IDOT move will happen. Lisa Madigan filed a motion today to dismiss the lawsuit. No arguments were heard on that motion and no new hearings are scheduled in the case. Wyatt says he's hopeful there will be a final decision in the next few months.

By Ryan Kruger
rkruger@wsiltv.com

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