Rod Blagojevich

Rod Blagojevich (born December 10, 1956) is a former Illinois governor who served from 2003 to 2009. Federal prosecutors charged him with public corruption after a long investigation into state government contracting, fundraising practices and recorded conversations about official actions. A jury convicted him on multiple counts, including wire fraud and conspiracy, and Judge James Zagel sentenced him to 14 years in federal prison on December 7, 2011. President Donald Trump commuted his sentence on February 18, 2020.

Early life and career

Rod Blagojevich was born in Chicago to working class parents. He attended Foreman High School and worked several jobs in his teens, including shoe shining and meat packing. After high school he attended the University of Tampa, then transferred to Northeastern Illinois University, where he earned a degree in history. He later completed his law degree at Pepperdine University School of Law.

Blagojevich began his career as an assistant state’s attorney in Cook County. In 1992 he won election to the Illinois House of Representatives. He held the seat for three terms. During this time he built strong ties within Chicago’s political networks. In 1996 he won a seat in the United States House of Representatives, succeeding Dan Rostenkowski. In Congress he focused on local projects, transportation funding and gun control legislation. He gained attention for a public style that stressed constituent services and visible engagement with district issues.

In 2002 Blagojevich ran for governor of Illinois. His campaign focused on education, health care and promises to reform state government. He won the election and became the first Democrat to serve as governor in Illinois since the 1970s. His administration expanded health coverage for children and increased state spending in several areas. Critics stated that he relied on borrowing and short term financial moves that raised concerns about long term budget stability. Blagojevich won re-election in 2006. His second term included conflict with the state legislature, investigations into state contracts and scrutiny of fundraising practices. Federal authorities monitored his administration for years, and reporting later showed that investigators recorded many of his conversations.

Federal offense and prosecution

Federal agents arrested Blagojevich on December 9, 2008. The complaint accused him of seeking financial benefits in exchange for state action. One part of the case involved the appointment to the United States Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. Wiretap recordings captured Blagojevich discussing the seat and describing possible contributions, jobs and other advantages tied to his selection of a candidate. The complaint also included allegations involving state boards, campaign fundraising and regulated industries.

A federal grand jury indicted him on April 2, 2009, on charges that included wire fraud, bribery conspiracy and extortion conspiracy. His first trial in 2010 ended with a conviction on one count for making false statements to the FBI and a mistrial on the remaining counts. Prosecutors retried him in 2011. The second trial included testimony from political aides, contractors, fundraisers and staff members. The jury convicted him on 17 counts.

On December 7, 2011, Judge James Zagel sentenced Blagojevich to 14 years in federal prison. The sentence reflected the judge’s view of the seriousness of the offenses and the need for deterrence in public corruption cases. Blagojevich appealed, and in 2015 the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals vacated five counts but upheld the core findings. The judge re-sentenced him to the same term. He reported to FCI Englewood on March 15, 2012.

President Donald Trump commuted his sentence on February 18, 2020. He walked out of FCI Englewood that afternoon.

Incarceration and prison experience

Blagojevich served most of his sentence at FCI Englewood, a low security federal facility located in Colorado. Inmates at Englewood follow structured daily schedules that include work assignments, classes and recreation periods. Reports from family members described his adjustment to the facility and noted that he completed required job assignments.

Life at Englewood included standard Bureau of Prisons programs. Inmates work in areas such as food service, grounds maintenance, unit sanitation, warehouse support or other detail assignments. Education programs include GED classes, literacy work, vocational education and structured parenting programs. Inmates also take part in physical fitness routines and structured recreation. Reports state that Blagojevich spent time reading, exercising and participating in permitted activities. His family visited him regularly and spoke publicly about visits and communication.

Blagojevich did not qualify for certain sentence reductions because his conviction involved public corruption offenses. Public records do not show major disciplinary issues during his time at Englewood. His projected release date, before the commutation, would have fallen in the mid-2020s. President Trump commuted the remainder of his sentence on February 18, 2020, which ended his time in custody.

Life after release

Blagojevich returned to Chicago after release. He resumed public statements and media appearances. His supervised release conditions require reporting to probation authorities and compliance with travel and employment rules. The commutation did not vacate his conviction. Under Illinois law he remains barred from holding public office. He has taken part in interviews, commentary and advocacy for changes in federal public corruption laws. There is no verified information on long term employment or financial plans after release.

Notable associates and related cases

• Tony Rezko, Illinois fundraiser convicted in a connected case.
• Patti Blagojevich, who advocated publicly during his incarceration.