Former chairman testifies Rezko pressured him

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

The former chairman of a state health planning board testified Wednesday he was ready to turn down a controversial proposal for a new, $81 million hospital in Crystal Lake. Then, just before his vote, Thomas Beck told jurors, someone was on the phone.

It was Tony Rezko. Testifying at the indicted businessman and political fund-raiser's corruption trial, Beck recalled telling Rezko: "Tony, this just isn't a good application. Take this job and shove it. . . . I'll resign."


"Do what you have to do," he said Rezko told him. "I took it to mean: 'Get it approved,' " Beck told jurors.

Beck backed Mercy Health System's new hospital, in a vote that prosecutors say demonstrated the behind-the-scenes power Rezko maintained over the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.

The Chicago Way.