Mark Kirk says Blagojevich doesn’t deserve pension

Mark Kirk says Blagojevich doesn’t deserve pension
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill. AP/File
Mark Kirk says Blagojevich doesn’t deserve pension
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill. AP/File

Mark Kirk says Blagojevich doesn’t deserve pension

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Jurors in the corruption retrial of Rod Blagojevich are continuing to deliberate and U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., is using the occasion to promote legislation he’s introducing.

Kirk’s proposed bill targets members of Congress who are convicted on corruption charges, even if those crimes take place after they leave Washington. Kirk pointed to Rod Blagojevich as a good example for how the legislation would work. Blagojevich served six years in the U.S. Congress, representing Chicago’s North Side. Later, while governor, he was charged and convicted of lying to federal agents.

Kirk said Blagojevich shouldn’t be rewarded with a pension for his time as a Congressman.

“Once you have violated the public trust in that way, I think that the taxpayers should not be supporting your retirement,” Kirk said.

Kirk estimates Blagojevich makes several thousand dollars a year from his Congressional pension. The proposed measure wouldn’t apply retroactively to Blagojevich.

Rep. Robert Dold, R-Ill., is sponsoring a similar bill in the House.