Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale, Illinois

Fahner starting probe of tax lid petition drive

Springfield AP The state top law enforcement official launched an investigation into allegations of forgery and illegal activity in Gov. James Thompson tax lid petition drive saying we will do it straightforward and fast Fahner said the probe may not finish before the November election but should be partly complete Thompson requested an independent inquiry of possible criminal acts connected with the petition drive Rep David Robinson challenged the petitions in court and accused fraud and forgeries and said the issue will go to the Illinois Supreme Court Fahner said evidence of crimes would be forwarded to county prosecutors without governor oversight and he would not report to the governor