* From the Tribune…

Preliminary talks are under way that could lead to John Harris, the former chief of staff to Gov. Rod Blagojevich, cooperating in the federal corruption case against the governor that snared both last month, sources said Wednesday.

Harris has not yet reached a deal to help authorities, sources with knowledge of the situation said, but cooperation by the former insider would be a boon to federal investigators. Blagojevich and Harris were arrested Dec. 9 on charges they leveraged the governor’s powers in pay-to-play schemes and tried to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

* The Sun-Times, however, claims Harris is already cooperating, which is what I heard this week…

John Harris — the highest-ranking employee under Gov. Blagojevich to be hit with federal corruption charges — has been providing information to federal prosecutors, the Sun-Times has learned.

Harris’ defense…

Ekl would not discuss details, but sources say that among the things Harris has discussed is how Blagojevich liked to talk big to his staff, but they didn’t always do what he asked them to.

* More news…

…federal authorities are scrutinizing communications between the governor and Lucio Guerrero, his chief media spokesman. Sources said investigators seized paperwork while conducting a search warrant at the governor’s Thompson Center offices.

Not unexpected. George Ryan’s former spokesman testified at Ryan’s trial. The first thing I told Guerrero after he took the job was “Get a good lawyer.” And I’m not the only one who gave him that advice.

* And another development…

The government tapped cell phones belonging to Gov. Blagojevich’s brother and the governor’s chief of staff as part of its corruption probe, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.

* Meanwhile…

About 58 percent of Illinoisans believe Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s alleged corrupt behavior is common among the state’s public officials, according to findings of a new statewide poll released Thursday by the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. […]

According to the survey, 78 percent of residents say a ban on campaign contributions by corporations will make a difference, and 76 percent say a similar ban on labor union contributions would make a difference. Similar sentiment (74 percent) was expressed for setting limits on the amount of contributions that could be given by individuals.

Discuss.