* A friend of mine told me the other day that Rod and Patti Blagojevich were actively looking for a Chicago condo. Turns out, she was right. They have their house up for sale, but I’m not sure how they can sell it when it’s being used as collateral for Rod’s bond…

A federal judge today set bond at $450,000 for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and ordered him to post his North Side house and Washington condo as collateral despite the defense declaring that the Chicago residence is up for sale.

* Prosecutors had asked for a million dollar bond. No luck…

“I understand the symbolism of a million dollars, but $450,000 is enough,” Zagel said.

The former governor and his wife said they had about $600,000 in equity in the two properties.

* More…

U.S. District Judge James Zagel then called Blagojevich and his wife Patti before him to issue the standard warning that they could lose both properties if the former governor violated bond conditions.

“I have no intention of violating the bond,” Blagojevich said.

Just like he had no intention of violating his oath of office?

* Prosecutors claimed earlier this week that they hadn’t received all the necessary paperwork on the two properties, but that’s supposedly all settled. Also, the judge barred Blagojevich’s attorneys from talking with the jurors for now.