WBEZ 91.5 Chicago

Federal Judge James Zagel on Friday denied Rod Blagojevich's last ditch efforts to get his convictions thrown out.

Former Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich is relying on arguments he made at trial to convince the judge to give him a short prison sentence.

Tony Rezko, a key player in the corruption that took place under former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison. After court Tuesday, U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said he could not think of another sentence that was that harsh for a public corruption case.

William Cellini, a native son of Springfield, could soon move from the corridors of power to a prison cell. Jurors convicted the long-time political figure and Friend of ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on two of four counts Tuesday.

A federal jury found William Cellini guilty Tuesday of joining a conspiracy to trade state contracts for campaign contributions for former Illinois Gov.

Kevin Martin, who's worked for years in Chicago on arms control issues, now heads Peace Action, the largest peace and justice organization in the country. He joins us to talk about social movements and today’s potential for political change.

Stuart Levine, the star witness in the government's corruption case against William Cellini, is expected back on the stand Monday. He's giving an insider account of how people who pay attention to state boards that deal with the mundane business of government can make a whole lot of money.