*** UPDATE 1 - 12:39 pm *** Natasha Korecki has some scoopage…

It appears jurors in Rod Blagojevich’s case still have much deliberating to do.

The panel asked to meet for just a half a day tomorrow — until 12:30 p.m. — before going home for the weekend, people with knowledge of the request said.

*** UPDATE 2 - 1:06 pm *** Barton took this video of Blagojevich attorney Sheldon Sorosky talks about how he’s holding up during the long wait. Have a look…

* My intern (they’re my interns for life, whether they know it or not) Barton Lorimor is assisting WSIL TV with coverage of the Blagojevich verdict. He arrived at the federal courthouse yesterday afternoon and hasn’t had much to do, so I asked him for a report. Here it is…

Dear Rich,

Day seven started out like any of its six predecessors. There was nothing new for Judge Zagel to report, leaving the roughly 30 reporters gathered here also with nothing to report.

The city outside is a flurry of activity. Lollapalooza is being set up two blocks away in Grant Park. President Obama is scheduled to attend a fundraiser for Alexi Giannoulias and the Democratic National Committee at the Palmer House, which is even closer. But inside the courthouse, the only noise is coming from two flat-screen televisions showing footage of Brett Favre and Alex Rodriguez…again.

Court staffers have remained exceptionally tight-lipped about this case, which has left the idling journalists to speculate about what is actually happening in the jury room and when a verdict might be on its way.

The US Marshals are really enforcing the building’s security. They are ready to take down any unsuspecting red-headed correspondent with a flip camera (yeah, that would be me). What on Earth would give a downstate reporter the idea that it was OK to shoot a short video in a roped-off section of the lobby labeled “Press Area” filled with television cameras?

Actually, Rich, the media could use these week-long stakeouts to their advantage. The next time I read about a newspaper or broadcast outlet laying off part of it’s staff, I will be critical of them for the lack of creativity. Those about to be cut loose should instead be sent to the Dirksen Building until they can’t take it anymore.

I’ll report back to you if anything happens. ANYTHING.

~barton

* Roundup…

* Blagojevich merchandise a tough sell

* Blagojevich jury — Day 7. They’re back and deliberating

* If convicted, Blago could lose property

* Jury may have to decide forfeiture issue

* Blagojevich could lose home if jury convicts him

* Prosecutors May Take Blagojevich’s House

* Blagojevich trial: Jury heads home at end of day 6

* What’s weighing on Blagojevich jurors

* Lengthy deliberations in Blagojevich case no surprise to local attorneys