Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich indicted

(Sorry for the delayed absence, I have been writing a research paper on Cook County.)

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Breaking news around the interwebs: Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has (finally) been arrested by the feds on corruption charges! The same man who told reporters “I don’t believe there’s any cloud that hangs over me, I think there’s nothing but sunshine hanging over me“; the same man who, when confronted with the fact that his approval rating was at 13%, said “that’s a baker’s dozen, right?” Ahahahahahaha.

Charges from the U.S. Attorney General (we love ya, Pat) include:

…engaging in ongoing criminal activity: conspiring to obtain personal financial benefits for Blagojevich by leveraging his sole authority to appoint a United States Senator; threatening to withhold substantial state assistance to the Tribune Company in connection with the sale of Wrigley Field to induce the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members sharply critical of Blagojevich; and to obtain campaign contributions in exchange for official actions – both historically and now in a push before a new state ethics law takes effect January 1, 2009.

In my work with state think tanks and legislatures, I’ve been told repeatedly that Illinois is part of a “trifecta of corruption” that includes New Jersey and Louisiana. Well, since Bobby Jindal started cleaning up Baton Rouge, that’s left us looking even worse for wear. So thank you, Rod, for fulfilling all the stereotypes our great state has come to embody. Not like you fooled ANYBODY when you urged President Bush to pardon Gov. Ryan (who is also in federal prison, serving time for corruption as well.)

So what does this mean for Illinois? For starters, we have a new acting governor, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn. A few weeks ago, Mr. Quinn urged Blagojevich to meet with the Tribune’s editorial board to “answer all questions raised” about his alleged improprieties; it would appear Quinn understands that perception is as much a part of public office as is the truth, and that the office is symbolic for constituents. Hopefully he’ll continue to act in a manner befitting the office, but we have yet to see.

Obviously, another important aspect of the arrest lies in the actual appointment of the Obama Senate seat. (Money quote from the governor to an advisor: “I’ve got this thing and it’s [expletive] golden, and, uh, uh, I’m just not giving it up for [expletive] nothing. I’m not gonna do it. And, and I can always use it. I can parachute me there.”) Intercepted conversations about the appointment — which has taken such a long time that eyebrows were being raised anyway — are laughable.

From the Attorney General’s press release:

Blagojevich also allegedly spent significant time weighing the option of appointing himself to the open Senate seat and expressed a variety of reasons for doing so, including: frustration at being “stuck” as governor; a belief that he will be able to obtain greater resources if he is indicted as a sitting Senator as opposed to a sitting governor; a desire to remake his image in consideration of a possible run for President in 2016; avoiding impeachment by the Illinois legislature; making corporate contacts that would be of value to him after leaving public office; facilitating his wife’s employment as a lobbyist; and generating speaking fees should he decide to leave public office.

What a deluded scumbag. Remember when elected officials were actually considered servants of the public?

In the short term, life will go on. In the medium-to-long term, hopefully officials, kingmakers, and rainmakers will think twice before exploiting their positions and influence for personal gain. As long as there are watchdog groups out there, they should be looking over their shoulders. The notorious reputation that Illinois has (rightfully) earned comes attached with national scrutiny, after all.

As the feds continue to uncover and prosecute the vermin attached to him, there is the possibility for a new chapter to begin in state politics. I’m not particularly optimistic, but this is a start.

Mr. Blagojevich, Illinois will not miss you.