By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill. – A big piece of the Illinois state budget is being challenged in federal court.
Governor Rod Blagojevich wants to take $125 million away from an environmental foundation and use it to pay for state programs.
But the Clean Energy Community Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit to block the governor's plan. It argues the state has no right to seize money from an independent charitable foundation.
The foundation was authorized by a state law deregulating the electricity industry, and its directors are appointed by state officials.
However, it's money comes from a private donation by Com-Ed.
Critics of the plan say that if this foundation's money can be taken, any private foundation is at risk.