OAK PARK, Ill., June 17 (UPI) -- Illinois has banned putting state officials' names on road signs in a repudiation of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Gov. Pat Quinn signed the ban Thursday at the Cermak Toll Plaza on Interstate 294 in Oak Park, which used to display Blagojevich's name, the Chicago Tribune reported.
He said his predecessor's push to put his name on three dozen signs on the Illinois Tollway cost the taxpayers nearly $500,000.
"Sometimes there are those in politics and public office who want to glorify themselves at public expense, and I don't think that's right. I don't think the public feels that's what democracy is about," Quinn said.
The measure expands on a law that bars officials from promoting themselves in state-funded TV ads, bumper stickers and other materials.
The law applies just to state-funded signs, but Quinn said counties and municipalities should do likewise.
