Jury: Illinois State workers fired because they were Republicans

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

Sixteen former state transportation workers were illegally fired by impeached ex-Gov. Blagojevich’s administration because they were Republicans, a federal jury decided Thursday.

The group, comprising low-level holdovers from former Republican Gov. George Ryan’s tenure, was fired in 2004 from Blagojevich’s Illinois Department of Transportation under the pretext of a money-saving, staff reorganization.

But a jury in Peoria sided with the ex-workers, who argued their political backgrounds and voting records were scrutinized by IDOT’s brass before the firings in violation of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court anti-patronage ruling.

“What has finally come to light is something people have always suspected: Rod Blagojevich mastered the craft of patronage and used it for his own benefit,” said Springfield attorney Carl Draper, who represented the ousted workers.

No word yet on this one from former Chicago Mob bookmaker Rod Blagojevich. Also, no word yet from former IDOT special assistant Dan Stefanski on this one.