By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker couldn’t escape the irony – or the questions – of a federal investigation which just may involve the Illinois Department of Transportation … while he was standing in front of that department’s headquarters to promote a multi-billion-dollar program which also may have the feds’ attention.

The investigation includes a raid on the offices and home of State Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago), who until recently was chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. He reportedly is suspected of shaking down contractors for kickbacks, and other principals in court papers include lobbyists and IDOT employees whose names are shielded by letters of the alphabet.

“There is no — no! — acceptance in any way whatsoever, in fact a full-throated rejection by my administration and by this IDOT of any of the deception, of the corruption that has been uncovered and may yet be uncovered,” Pritzker said, against a backdrop of lawmakers, yellow-vested union members, and two giant orange IDOT trucks. “We are being extremely focused and careful,” adding the situation requires an “extra lens.”

The “Rebuild Illinois” program includes almost $20 billion in road and bridge work over the next five years.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]