Chicago Tribune: No Favoritism in Giving Out Stimulus Funds, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood

From Chicago Tribune:

Illinois' long-dysfunctional government ultimately helped the state gain quick approval for a large share of federal stimulus money to fix roads and bridges, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Sunday.

LaHood, a former 14-year congressman from Peoria, was the first Republican that President Barack Obama, a former U.S. senator from Illinois, selected to his White House Cabinet. He told WGN-AM 720 "there is no favoritism" involved in the distribution of federal money, but instead said it was based on a long-standing formula for allocating highway funds to the states.