Rod Blagojevich sentence unchanged by federal judge

Posted on August 9, 2016

By Nick McClintock

CHICAGO- Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich won’t be returning back to the state anytime soon. A federal judge has resentenced Blagojevich to the same 14 year prison term that he received four years ago on charges stemming for trying to sell President Barack Obama’s vacant senate seat.

U.S District Judge James Zagel told both Blagojevich and his family, who had made passionate pleas for his early release, “these are serious crimes that had an impact on the people of Illinois.”

The former Illinois Governor, and his attorney’s, were hoping to receive a reduced sentence. This after an appeals court tossed tossed out five of the 18 counts he was convicted on nearly five years ago.

Judge Zagel said it was a “unfortunate reality” the family members of Blagojevich were made to suffer the consequences of the prison sentence.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…