DNR Director Gets Perks While Budget May Be Slashed

While the Blagojevich administration prepares a new budget that will reportedly include a drastic cut in funding for the Department of Natural Resources, the Bloomington Pantagraph's Kurt Erickson reports that the DNR director is receiving unique benefits.

The acting director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is on pace to collect nearly $10,000 in travel reimbursements from taxpayers this year, simply for going to work.

Sam Flood, who has served two years as acting chief of the agency, has received special permission from the Blagojevich administration to collect housing and meal money when he works at the agency’s headquarters in Springfield.

The travel money is on top of his $120,000 salary and the use of a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria from the state motor pool.