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* Seems like decades ago…
The predawn rousting of Gov. Rod Blagojevich from his Ravenswood Manor home Tuesday marked a stunning climax to a tale of alleged public corruption unmatched in Illinois’ storied history of elected scoundrels and thrust the state into an unprecedented political crisis.
Illinoisans awoke to news that their governor had been arrested, handcuffed and hauled before a federal magistrate on sweeping charges he conspired to sell his office many times over–including putting a price on the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald said the governor’s actions forced his office to intervene. “Gov. Blagojevich has been arrested in the middle of what we can only describe as a political corruption crime spree,” he said. Fitzgerald said Blagojevich’s “conduct would make [Abraham] Lincoln roll over in his grave.”
The well-coiffed governor, sporting a turtleneck beneath a blue Nike track suit and running shoes, was released on his own recognizance and walked out not only free, but still empowered to make an appointment to the Senate seat federal prosecutors say he tried to corrupt.
“They’re doing well. He’s sad, surprised and innocent,” Blagojevich attorney Sheldon Sorosky told reporters outside Blagojevich’s home Tuesday night.
Throughout the day, the halls of state government in Springfield and Chicago were humming with calls for his resignation or impeachment–and lawmakers planned an emergency session to schedule a special election and to strip the governor of his sole authority to fill the Senate post.
My website as well as those run by the Tribune and the Sun-Times all crashed that morning because of the traffic spike. Such crazy times.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 10:22 am
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I wonder if Cake Bakeries are busy today?
Comment by A guy Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 10:24 am
And to think his going on Celebrity Apprentice during his time of infamy may give him the best chance of all for early release.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 10:25 am
He should be out of prison by now. He’the ultimate goof, but no harm to anyone.
Comment by Deft Wing Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 10:25 am
That was such a joyous day.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 10:28 am
I will never, ever forget about sitting at a breakfast awards banquet, getting this news and laughing loudly enough to quiet the entire room.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 10:29 am
“Is that you, Jimmy (DeLeo)?”
Eight years. Wow.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 10:30 am
–The predawn rousting of Gov. Rod Blagojevich from his Ravenswood Manor home Tuesday marked a stunning climax to a tale of alleged public corruption unmatched in Illinois’ storied history of elected scoundrels and thrust the state into an unprecedented political crisis.–
Strange lede.
It wasn’t the “climax” but the beginning: still to come, the embarrassing Blago road show, impeachment and conviction, two trials.
And Blago was a lousy crook, in every sense of the phrase, but, just off the top of my head, he was a piker compared to the likes of Big Bill Thompson, Len Small and Paul Powell.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 10:35 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkGFOn8X1X4
Comment by Biker Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 10:35 am
A date that will live in political infamy in our little corner of the world.
Comment by Abe the Babe Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 10:38 am
Late 2008: The economy was tanked, Blago was arrested, man, those were scary times. But yet, late 2016 is even scarier here in Illinois.
Comment by up2now Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 10:39 am
All in all I think that one was a down day.
Comment by And I Approved This Message Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 10:40 am
Memories……………..
Comment by Bogey Golfer Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 10:49 am
Still remember where I was (an IHOP parking lot) when I heard.
Comment by Oneman Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 10:56 am
Things are much worse today in Illinois. Blago was the Ed Wood of political crooks.
Comment by illinoised Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 11:00 am
I saw it all unraveling early on…so reckless, yet I feel he is serving a very long sentence as compared to others who basically did the same….
Comment by Loop Lady Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 11:02 am
RIP, Bill.
Comment by Dirty Red Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 11:03 am
Will never forget walking into a meeting at a DHS office in Springfield around 8:30 that morning and seeing state workers standing around cheering and laughing at the new the Gov. had been arrested.
Wonder how those people feel today?
Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 11:08 am
Ah the good old days, back when we thought that was rock bottom. To use John Oliver’s metaphor, now if you look up, way, way up, you can see rock bottom from where we sit now.
Comment by Lydia Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 11:12 am
Today is my birthday. That morning, I hadn’t turned on or looked at a shred of news until I walked into an office for a meeting and everyone there was huddled around a TV watching it unfold. Best birthday present ever!
Comment by Best birthday ever Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 11:16 am
He deserves to get time served and be released. You get locked up that long if you are a danger to the public or likely to repeat. I don’t see either happening here.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 11:25 am
Deft Wing - He should have pled guilty, then he would be free by now. By forcing a trial and being less than truthful on the witness stand, he deserves unforgiving sentences.
Comment by Not It Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 11:27 am
Perhaps Trump will pardon Blagojevich and give him a job, his goal in trying to sell the Senate seat.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 11:30 am
I was enjoying my new job working for someone who actually thought Blagojecich wasn’t that bad of a guy and admitted voting for him. My subway car was just going into the tunnel when the lead of the Tribune announced it. Word spread quickly in the subway car but back then there wasn’t Internet in the subway, so we all knew the headline but no detail. That trip to work took forever, my boss had his door closed the entire day.
Comment by Not It Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 11:32 am
In our office we put on the “O Brother Where Art Thou” CD and turned up the volume on “He’s in the Jailhouse Now”…. good times.
Then we took down the picture of Blagojevich they had ordered us to hang in the lobby.
That was a fun day.
Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 11:40 am
==Then we took down the picture of Blagojevich they had ordered us to hang in the lobby.==
Who do you give the finger to now on the way into work? /s lol.
Comment by A guy Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 12:01 pm
As if things are as bad as they are now in IL, the more press Blago gets the more we and the country hear about our State. The time he has served is enuf already. Fitzgerald was a head hunter and wanted another one for his mantle. Rezko, Levine, Eddie V. Where is the compassion for Blago’s family? Blago is no Angel, but if he got out, where is he going?
Comment by Enuf is Enuf Man Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 12:06 pm
And we all remember that had Fitzgerald not big footed the AG investigation Blagoof would have been long gone before these dramatic moments occured. No words wishpered through Stu’wire taps, etc. etc.
Comment by Annonin' Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 12:21 pm
Actually Blagojevich DID harm people. I know some of them.
So I have no sympathy for him.
As for the damage to his family now, well that’s the price of breaking the law. Too bad. No early release. Pay your debt to society.
Of course that’s nothing compared to what this Governor has done to the social safety net of our by his refusal to do the job as described in the Constitution. He’s hurt MORE people than Blago did. I’d like to see this Gov get marched out in handcuffs too.
Comment by Bluegrass Boy Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 12:28 pm
Oh, it just seems like yesterday that Fitzgerald was a liberal hero…and MSNBC was declaring that Fitzmas was coming!
Karl Rove would be indicted!
How did that turn out?
Comment by Doug Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 12:42 pm
A Guy
Comment by weltschmerz Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 12:44 pm
‘”A goof, but no harm to anyone..”. Respectfully disagree. He was an untalented grifter/crook that did much harm - if only looking at the expense he caused taxpayers for his sordid ways. He wasn’t sharp enough to avoid prison. He he spent less time looking in the mirror and doing magic with his holstered hairdryer, maybe he could have beat the rap(s). And he’s still unrepentant
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 12:45 pm
Free Blago!
Comment by blue dog dem Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 2:19 pm
Sorry I don’t feel sorry for Blago at all. It’s only my humble opinion but if he had shown some contrition at the trial and sentencing I don’t believe he would be doing 14 years. I do feel bad for his wife and especially his children but the dude brought this on all himself.
Comment by Stones Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 2:28 pm
=Where is the compassion for Blago’s family? Blago is no Angel, but if he got out, where is he going?=
If we’re going to shine a spotlight on this case then we might as well look at everyone that has been “unjustly sentenced” and believe me just about everyone sitting alongside him would probably line up to make that claim.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 2:39 pm
At the time of his arrest I was working for the state. Shortly after that I was asked what it was like at work. I replied that it gave me a small idea of how the French must have felt after D-Day. They knew there was still a long way to go, but the end was in sight.
Comment by Past the Rule of 85 Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 2:51 pm
Rest in Peace Bill.
Comment by Saluki Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 3:12 pm
What many don’t remember is that Blago’s crime spree was interupted by the Chicago Tribune learning of the feds bugging Blago’s office and campaign headquarters. It forced their hand or who knows what else he might have done. Certainly completed the senate seat deal.
Comment by Leave a Light on George Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 3:24 pm
2008: political crisis.
2016: fiscal crisis.
Hope I live to see the day this state isn’t in some kind of crisis.
Comment by Sir Reel Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 3:55 pm
Rich,
Could you post your blog from this infamous day? It’s always fascinating to read the early reactions to events like this.
Comment by Downstate Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 4:21 pm
@Illinoised, hilarious comment calling Blago the Ed Wood of political crooks. just hilarious.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 4:26 pm
Merry Fitzmas!
If only our problems now were so easy to solve. Blagojevich had people around him that could temper his worst instincts. The governor seems to have no such check. The president is worse off.
Even great leaders need their Merlin to try to protect them from themselves.
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 4:31 pm
Anonnin’ is deep in the egg nog and it was only lunch time when he posted that nonsense. Lisa Madigan was going to get Rod to jail pronto but the Feds slowed her down? C’mon, man.
Comment by Are you kidding me? Friday, Dec 9, 16 @ 4:34 pm