Scott Fitzgerald: “Clearly, the State of Illinois contemplates that for many grants from the Federal Government, they will have to comply…”

“Clearly, the State of Illinois contemplates that for many grants from the Federal Government, they will have to comply with the Federal Government's requirements. That is not unusual. The Federal Government has requirements for education money, for Medicaid money, and the like. For this project, I think it is reasonable. We don't want to unduly hamper it. But Federal competitive bidding, who would oppose that? I don't think Democrats would oppose it. I don't think Republicans would oppose it. Certainly no Democrat, no Republican in the Senate wished to go on record opposing it. It is a simple, safe precaution for the taxpayers. Again, this statute, which we have talked about on and off all day, conclusively demolishes the letters that are being put out by the Capital Development Board saying they must use competitive bidding and that there is no way competitive bidding won't be used. Let me reflect on that argument again. They are saying that clearly competitive bidding will be used. This project now is the focus of a lot of attention around the State of Illinois, and many people have said it will definitely be competitively bid. If that is the case, why such stiff opposition to attaching the Federal competitive bid guidelines? If they are going to bid it according to the book and there won't be any problems with the contracts, then why is anybody opposed? Why is it? I don't know.…”