Rod Blagojevich Guilty of Corruption; Illinois Politicians Share Reaction

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted by a federal jury Monday on 17 counts of corruption, including trying to sell or trade the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama.

Blagojevich, who had faced 20 corruption charges in his retrial, was convicted on 11 Senate seat charges, according to the Huffington Post. He was also found guilty of attempting to shake down executives for campaign donations.

The verdicts were delivered after nine days of deliberation. The jury acquitted Blagojevich on one county of bribery and deadlocked on two counts of  attempted extortion.

Arriving in court Monday, Blagojevich expressed trepidation.

"My hands are shaking, my knees are weak; I can't seem to stand on my own two feet," Blagojevich said to reporters after walking out of his home to head to the Dirksen Federal Building, as seen on live streaming video from Chicago's ABC 7.

Jurors in Blagojevich's first trial deadlocked on all but one charge, convicting him of lying to the FBI—an offense that carries up to five years in prison.

Blagojevich was arrested in December 2008 after the FBI had wiretapped hundreds of telephone calls. He was impeached by the Illinois Legislature one month later.

Several Illinois politicians weighed in on the Blagojevich verdicts Monday afternoon.

Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) released the following statement:

“It was clear that Rod Blagojevich conspired to use the governor's office for personal gain. He inflicted real, permanent damage on the state during his six years in office. Unfortunately, future generations will be paying for his administration for years to come.

“I am as anxious as everyone to now put this sordid chapter in our state’s history behind us. But some will want to use this verdict to close the door on reform.

“Instead, it is our job as elected officials to make sure the public has confidence in the integrity of their government. We all have a responsibility to send a clear signal that Illinoisans do not need to tolerate even the appearance of conflicts of interest by elected officials. We must put the politics of the past behind us.”

According to the Chicago Tribune, Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk said the "verdict is a stark reminder that no one is above the law."

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady criticized Illinois Democrats for their support of Blagojevich.

“I'm glad that the verdict is finally in on Rod Blagojevich," Brady said in a statement. "However this closes only one chapter of Democrat corruption in Illinois. Illinois Democratic politicians who now try everything they can to hide their past support of Rod Blagojevich should look themselves in the mirror and remind themselves that little has changed since the day Blagojevich was arrested."

Democratic Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, of Chicago, said Blagojevich's "pattern of dishonesty" was confirmed again today, according to the Tribune.

"Just as it was sad but necessary for the Senate to remove him from office, today is another sad event for Illinois, Cullerton said. "I would hope that this verdict would further allow us as a state to move on and ahead."

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said government officials must put their energies toward demanding "more accountable and responsible government" to rebuild the state's reputation.

"I hope that this will send a clear message to the people of Illinois and the nation—corruption no longer has a place in our political system," Preckwinkle said of the verdict.