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University of Illinois admits problems with admission process

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- A University of Illinois spokesman says reports that some students may gain admission with the help of the politically powerful are a manageable problem the university must address.

Spokesman Thomas Hardy maintains that the problem is relatively small and that likely only a handful of students at the university's flagship campus in Urbana-Champaign are what he called "questionable admission."

The Chicago Tribune reported Friday that then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich pushed the university to admit a relative of convicted influence peddler Tony Rezko. And the school acknowledges it maintains a list of applicants being closely tracked at the request of legislators and trustees.

Hardy says the university is starting to consider what do about the situation.

White: U of I admissions should be influence-free

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- University of Illinois President Joseph White says no one at the school should feel pressured to admit prospective students because the governor or anyone else with political clout takes an interest.

White says he hopes to make that clear Friday to the university's employees after reports that some students may have been admitted with the help of the politically powerful. The Chicago Tribune reported that one was a relative of convicted political influence peddler Tony Rezko.

White says he worries the university's reputation might be tarnished by the news.

The university president also says he's never pressed for the admission of an applicant based on their political connections.

Lawmaker says U of I admissions does good job

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- The head of the state Senate's Higher Education Committee says the University of Illinois "by and large does a good job" on admissions.

But Democratic Sen. Edward Maloney said Friday he doesn't know the extent of reports that politically connected students can get preferential treatment at the university.

The school keeps a list of applicants favored by legislators and trustees. The Chicago Tribune reported that even then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich intervened on behalf of a relative of convicted fundraiser Tony Rezko.

Maloney says, if there are widespread abuses, lawmakers would try to rectify the situation.

Maloney says he's inquired in the past about why a student hasn't been admitted to the university, but he says he's never told the school to "put this kid in."