CHICAGO (AP) ó Gov. Rod Blagojevich has ordered all state agencies to stop doing business with Bank of America to pressure the bank into helping protesting workers at a shuttered Chicago plant.

The move is leverage to try to convince the North Carolina-based bank to use some of its federal bailout money to resolve a sit-in at Republic Windows and Doors.

The company closed last week with just a few days’ notice and about 200 workers want their severance and vacation pay.