* Here’s some good news, the prosecution expects to wrap things up in two weeks…

Government prosecutors have on a couple of occasions said they’re ahead of schedule in their case against the former governor of Illinois.

Now, the Chicago Sun-Times has just learned that prosecutors may rest its case against Rod Blagojevich the week after next.

Judge James Zagel had set aside 15-17 weeks for the trial.

The trial is only now in its fourth full week and the government is already moving on from the bulkiest part of its case — testimony about the U.S. Senate seat.

While there’s expected to be additional testimony in that regard, including about a $1.5 million promise of a contribution in exchange for a Jesse Jackson Jr. appointment, numerous key recordings were already played about the Senate seat.

Government witnesses have taken the stand and delivered explosive testimony at a quick clip. Key witnesses — including former chief of staff John Harris and lobbyist Lon Monk were on and off the stand in a matter of a few days.

By contrast, Stuart Levine, the chief witness in the trial of businessman Tony Rezko, was on the witness stand in that trial for parts of 15 days.

* Remember, this is the same guy who blasted “Gucci-wearing lobbyists” and worked mostly out of his home and his campaign office…

In November 2008, Rod Blagojevich was plotting for a new job with his advisers, loudly complaining he was desperate for cash.

“Amy is going to college in six years, and we can’t afford it,” Blagojevich screamed on the Nov. 10 call. “I feel like I’m f—— my children.”

Four days later, he dropped $429 on two ties at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Two days after that, he hit Saks again, spending another $429 on a pair of neckties.

He was in way over his head…

Blagojevich and his wife were awash in more than $200,000 in consumer debt when he was arrested in December 2008, federal agent Shari Schindler said at the former governor’s corruption trial.

“Sometimes they used credit cards to pay for other credit cards,” Schindler said. […]

Several entries, Schindler said, showed Blagojevich spent more than $10,000 a day on suits. A basket-weave tie from Saks cost $179.85. Around the same time, Schindler said, Blagojevich spent $2,590 in a single store on shirts. A charge on Patti Blagojevich’s card showed a payment of $3,800 for furs.

The couple displayed a special fondness for Saks, spending around $57,000 there over the six-year period - the fifth-largest itemized expense; they spent $28,000 at Neiman Marcus, the 11th largest. By comparison, in the same period, they spent less than $50,000 on child care and less than $100,000 on groceries.

The Rezko cash payments weren’t enough. They needed a lot more money to stay afloat. As I told subscribers today, there’s your financial motive.

* Mary Schmich wraps it up nicely…

On Thursday, Rich Miller, who runs the Capitol Fax blog, asked his readers, “What’s the most money you’ve ever spent on an item of clothing?”

Few admitted to spending more than $500, even fewer said more than $1,000.

Money is a mirror. How you spend yours reveals who you are. It reflects your activities and your aspirations.

The $400,000 Blagojevich and his wife spent on clothes during his years as governor offer a telling portrait, and a sad one.

It’s a portrait of a man out of touch and out of control, consumed by appearances, striving to belong to an elite of leading men and titans that the best suits in the world would never let him enter.

The jury will never forget - and won’t likely forgive - that IRS testimony.