By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

The lieutenant governor’s speech at a celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act was crashed none other than by disability advocates Tuesday.

Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti was blocked during her speech at the Chicago event by dozens of people in wheelchairs.

Sanguinetti, who suffers from multiple sclerosis herself, makes many people feel she should be on the side of disabled people and though disability advocates have tried to engage Sanguinetti on proposed cuts in Springfield, they say they have had no success thus far.

In other state news, Illinois lawmakers are continuing a summer project – finding out why the governor’s administration is paid what they’re paid.

The newest subject is state school superintendent Tony Smith, who makes $225,000 annually, along with a $500 monthly vehicle stipend on top of a seven weeks paid vacation.

Smith was given the extra perks because he’s in the less generous Tier II pension plan, implemented for all state workers hired after January 2011.
Smith was not in attendance, another hearing on this will be scheduled.