The Blagojevich verdict is in so what’s next for Illinois politics?

The Blagojevich verdict is in so what’s next for Illinois politics?
The jury in former Governor Rod Blagojevich's corruption trial voted to indict him on 17 of the 20 counts against him. Getty
The Blagojevich verdict is in so what’s next for Illinois politics?
The jury in former Governor Rod Blagojevich's corruption trial voted to indict him on 17 of the 20 counts against him. Getty

The Blagojevich verdict is in so what’s next for Illinois politics?

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Ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich joined a notorious group Monday. He’s the fourth former governor to be convicted of crimes. Blagojevich was found guilty on 17 of the 20 counts against him. He’ll likely serve time when he is sentenced later this year.

During two trials on corruption charges, Blagojevich and his lawyers made the case that his actions were not criminal but just business as usual in Illinois politics. So what does his trial and conviction mean for the state’s corrupt practices? Eight Forty-Eight talked with expert jury consultant Alan Tuerkheimer and WBEZ’s Criminal and Legal Affairs reporter Robert Wildeboer about the jury and their comments about the process. Then, WBEZ and Chicago News Cooperative State Reporter Kristen McQueary and historian Taylor Pensoneau, who specializes in the deeds and misdeeds of Illinois governors, spoke to Eight Forty-Eight about Blagojevich’s legacy in Illinois politics.