The Chicago Tribune reminded readers of Don Ustuen’s misdeeds, but didn’t mention he lived in Crystal Lake and represented McHenry County on the Metra Board.

Top lobbyist of the Illinois State Medical Association, McHenry County Metra Board member and buddy of former Illinois House Speaker, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State and Governor George Ryan made the front page of the Chicago Tribune Saturday.

The reason was that Patrick Collins, the Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the George Ryan corruption cases with Udstuen’s cooperation has been selected to probe Metra for patronage and other abuses at Metra.

If memory serves me correctly, Udstuen admitted accepting a bribe for influencing a Metra contract from former State Rep. Roger Stanley (R-Streamwood), who became a direct mail guy for many Republican candidates, including Lee Daniels’ House Republican Campaign Committee.

I was told that Udstuen kept a notebook for 10-12 years. The details, I imagine were quite helpful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

You can get a hint of what the scandal was about by reading articles here.

The Chicago Tribune article is here.