Looking at Blogginois there were some blurbs about Blagojevich offering some state funds to help rebuild the church which was heavily damaged by fire on Friday. Of course while the Blagojevich administration will insist that this money is going to the church's school. There are those raise objections thanks to the separation of church and state.
Of course one could see this need for this grant because of the importance of this institution for the revitalization of a neighborhood and the fact that Pilgrim Baptist is a landmark, that the offer or the use of state funds is appropriate or at least there is a need for it. Either way there are those who see this current effort by Gov. Blagojevich to score points with a key constituency. Whether this is just one more point for a politician to remain in power or what have you is another issue and we'll find out soon enough.
If Pilgrim Baptist is to ever be rebuilt then even if there are some kind of restrictions on the use of state funds then hopefully there will be plenty of private funds to be raised. Since this story has been a big story on the front pages of Chicago's major media outlets and the historical and architectural significance of this church has been established, then hopefully this church may not have much trouble raising the necessary funds to rebuild. Hopefully they'll be able to even if they can't stay with Louis Sullivan's (he helped design the building) plans.
Check out some of these links on the story...
Church and state from Captiol Fax Blog
Church Donation Creating Some Controversy from CBS2Chicago
State pledges $1M to rebuild historic church from ABC7Chicago
Taxpayer Tithings from ILLINOIZE
Blago promises another gift from composite drawlings
Governor, Foundation Pledge Donations To Rebuild Landmark Church from WBBM Newsradio 780
Our constitutionally challenged and wholly transparent governor from Eric Zorn
Isiah 1:17- Learn to do well. Seek justice, Relieve the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, Plead for the widow.
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