“Rod Blagojevich Superstar!”

Second City turns governor’s saga into Rod opera
BY KARI ANDREN
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH   Mar. 24 2009
SPRINGFIELD – Chicago’s Second City comedy troupe accomplished last weekend
what Illinois politicians tried with limited success to do for years: get Gov.
Rod Blagojevich to spend some time in Springfield.
The capital visitor was really an actor in the scorned ex-governor’s persona,
drawing [...]

Now what?

Patrick Quinn faces oddball past, daunting future as governor
By Kevin McDermott and Kari Andren
POST-DISPATCH SPRINGFIELD BUREAU   02/01/2009

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Now what?
After almost two months under a brutal national spotlight, Illinoisans might be tempted to think their problems were solved when ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich was shown the door Thursday by a unanimous state Senate vote.
But now, [...]

Blago impeachment trial closing arguments underway

Ill. Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn ready and waiting
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As the closing arguments in Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s impeachment trial proceed, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn is making his way to Springfield.
Quinn is flying down from Chicago and plans to spend the day in his state capitol office working and monitoring the trial, according to Bob [...]

Just when you think you have it figured out..

Blagojevich to address impeachment trial, but avoids questioning
By Kevin McDermott and Kari Andren
POST-DISPATCH SPRINGFIELD BUREAU   01/29/2009

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – After boycotting most of his impeachment trial and complaining to national media that the proceedings are unfair, Gov. Rod Blagojevich today is expected to address the Illinois Senate tribunal that is deciding whether to remove him from [...]

Quinn would replace Blagojevich, but who would replace Quinn?

By Kari Andren
Post-Dispatch Springfield bureau  01/27/09
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – If Gov. Rod Blagojevich is convicted in his state Senate trial that began Monday, his post will be filled, of course, by Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn.
And who will fill Quinn’s office? No one. Under the line of succession as outlined in the Illinois Constitution, if Quinn becomes [...]

Blagojevich declines impersonating Nixon

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -  Gov. Rod Blagojevich refused to impersonate Richard Nixon despite prodding by “The View’s” Joy Behar on his second of three talk show appearances Monday.
Behar said she had heard Blagojevich does a great Nixon impression and tried to get him raise his arms and say Nixon’s signature line: “I am not a crook.”
Instead, the embattled [...]

Blago banned from touching stimulus

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Gov. Rod Blagojevich won’t be allowed to spend any money from a federal stimulus package if he survives his impeachment trial that begins today.
A provision in the stimulus package legislation stipulates that Blagojevich may not direct the use of any funds provided in the package.
Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 at his Chicago [...]

Veterans story update

Check out the updated version of the story on Illinois veterans’ responses to Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s Pearl Harbor remark here.
This story ran in Saturday’s Post-Dispatch.

Ill. Sen. Jones: end impeachment appointments

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Sen. John Jones, R-Mt. Vernon, wants to remove the governor’s power to make executive appointments if arrested or during impeachment proceedings.
”If we’re going to clean up government, these kinds of appointments need to be halted,” Jones said in a statement Friday.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed state Rep. Kurt Granberg, D-Centralia, to the Illinois Department of Natural [...]

Vets blast Blagojevich

Veterans groups blast Blagojevich’s comparison of his shock at arrest to Pearl Harbor Day  
Kari Andren
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 01/23/2009
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Veterans organizations in southern Illinois blasted Gov. Rod Blagojevich Friday for comparing his arrest last month to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  
In an interview with the Associated Press on Thursday, Blagojevich said [...]