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Petition to Governor Blagojevich calling for the removal of Jay Bergman from the Board of Trustees of Illinois State University
WHEREAS the term of Jay Bergman as Trustee of Illinois State University is expiring, and Mr. Bergman must be reappointed to his Trustee position by Governor Blagojevich; and
WHEREAS Mr. Bergman is the owner of Petco Petroleum, which has committed numerous infringements of environmental regulations in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan; and
WHEREAS the Illinois Attorney General and the Illinois Pollution Control Board have recently filed a complaint against Jay Bergman and Petco Petroleum for water pollution and water quality violations at three oil wells in Fayette County; and
WHEREAS Mr. Bergman has shown no compunction for such transgressions, remarking that "every oil company of any size every once in a while gets fined, once in a while has a leak," even though a statement from the Attorney General's office remarked that "Petco's track record shows that the company has not always taken all the actions required to prevent environmental damage," demonstrating that such incidents have not been mere accidents but have resulted from actual negligence; and
WHEREAS Mr. Bergman's words and deeds are in clear opposition to the Mission Statement of Illinois State University, which reads in part, "We devote all of our resources and energies to creating the most supportive and productive community possible to serve the citizens of Illinois and beyond;" and
WHEREAS it is hoped that Governor Blagojevich, in keeping the best interests of the Illinois State University community and the citizens of Illinois in mind when making decisions about appointments to the Illinois State University Board of Trustees, would not appoint to such a position an individual whose words and deeds are in clear opposition to the Mission Statement of Illinois State University and whose company has committed multiple violations of Illinois law, not merely by accident but also through negligence;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we, the undersigned, feel that Jay Bergman does not make a suitable leader for Illinois State University, and accordingly, we demand that Jay Bergman be denied reappointment to the Illinois State University Board of Trustees; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the text of this resolution and list of signators will be sent to Governor Blagojevich and state media.
Background Information | Who Should Sign?
The petition to remove Jay Bergman is now closed, since it has been submitted to the Governor's Office, however with the recent reappointment of Bergman we urge you to call your State Senator to ask them to block his confirmation. [Take Action]
¹ Figure does not include the number of signatures collected on paper.
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