CHICAGO (AP) — A published report says Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford’s office has offered paid internships to several young people with political connections.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Rutherford’s office kept a list of applicants and the name of the person who referred them.

Among those who referred interns were House Speaker Michael Madigan and U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush. Rutherford himself recommended a 16-year-old member of the wealthy Pritzker family. That person was hired one year after a relative donated $50,000 to Rutherford’s campaign fund.

Rutherford’s office says clout played no role in who got internships.

The office had 58 interns in 2013 — the same year Rutherford launched his bid for the Republican nomination for governor.

The treasurer’s office had eight paid interns in the final year under Rutherford’s predecessor.

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