Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich remains an immutable character in Illinois’ political lore following President Donald Trump's pardon.
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich walks outside his Ravenswood Manor home after he was granted a full pardon by President Donald Trump on Feb. 10, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich talks with attendees after speaking with members of the press outside his Ravenswood Manor home after he was granted a full pardon by President Donald Trump on Feb. 10, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti Blagojevich speak with members of the press outside their Ravenswood Manor home after he was granted a full pardon by President Donald Trump on Feb. 10, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti Blagojevich speak with members of the press outside their Ravenswood Manor home after he was granted a full pardon by President Donald Trump on Feb. 10, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich arrives at his Ravenswood Manor home on Feb. 10, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks at a Serbs for Trump 2024 event at a Milwaukee bar during the Republican National Convention, July 17, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich sings with band the Drawers at Martyrs’ in Chicago on March 2, 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks at a Donald Trump rally on Nov. 1, 2020, at Firewater Saloon in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood of Chicago. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune)
Jose Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks to the media outside his home in Chicago on Feb. 19, 2020, after President Trump commuted his sentence the day before.
Jose Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, with his wife Patti at his side, speaks to supporters and the media in front of their Ravenswood Manor home on Feb. 19, 2020.
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
A cardboard cutout of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich outside his home before a news conference in Chicago on Feb. 19, 2020.
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Rod Blagojevich dabs his chin while holding a press conference outside his Chicago home on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. He cut himself while shaving.
Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune
Ziff Sistrunk completes a banner reading "Thanks Mr. President" that he created and hung on the home of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich in Chicago's Ravenswood Manor neighborhood on Feb. 18, 2020. President Donald Trump commuted Blagojevich's sentence earlier in the day.
Jose Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich shakes hands with supporters outside his home in Chicago on Feb. 19, 2020.
Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune
Deb Mell, sister of Patti Blagojevich, pulls down a heart-shaped balloon as she talks to members of the media on the stairs of the Blagojevich family home in Chicago's Ravenswood Manor neighborhood on Feb. 18, 2020.
Jose Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks to the media outside his home in Chicago on Feb. 19, 2020.
Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune
Just after returning to his Chicago home, Rod Blagojevich peeks from his window early Feb. 19, 2020. President Donald Trump commuted his sentence a day earlier.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Notes from supporters are written on a banner at the home of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Feb. 19, 2020.
Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune
Rod Blagojevich is urged to go inside as he returns to his home in Chicago's Ravenswood Manor neighborhood early Feb. 19, 2020.
Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich gets into a vehicle after arriving at O'Hare International Airport early Feb. 19, 2020.
Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich arrives to the Denver International Airport on Feb. 18, 2020, in Colorado after being released from prison earlier in the evening.
Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks with a fellow traveler as he awaits his flight back to Chicago at Denver International Airport on Feb. 18, 2020, in Colorado after being released from prison earlier in the evening. "I can't wait to get home," Blagojevich said at the airport after President Donald Trump commuted the ex-Illinois governor's 14-year sentence.
Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks to reporters after arriving at Denver International Airport on Feb. 18, 2020, in Colorado.
Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune
Rod Blagojevich returns to his Chicago home early Feb. 19, 2020, after President Donald Trump commuted his sentence.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
A dog walker passes by the home of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich early Feb. 19, 2020, in Chicago.
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich waves to the crowd as he leaves his home in Chicago for Englewood federal prison near Littleton, Colorado, on March 15, 2012. (William DeShazer/Chicago Tribune)
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich exercises, Aug. 11, 2019, outside the Federal Correctional Institution-Englewood near Littleton, Colorado.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich waves as he goes for an evening run outside the minimum security satellite camp of the Federal Correctional Institution-Englewood where he is an inmate near Littleton, Colorado, on Aug. 10, 2019.
Cheryl A. Cook/for the Chicago Tribune
The gray-haired former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is seen in a courtroom sketch in August 2016, as he appeared on a video link from prison in Colorado at his resentencing in Chicago.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Patti Blagojevich crosses her fingers after being asked if she has "hope" while leaving her home May 31, 2018, on Chicago's Northwest Side. She had previously appealed to President Donald Trump for clemency for her husband, Rod Blagojevich.
E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves his Chicago home to begin serving a 14-year sentence on federal corruption charges at Federal Correctional Institution Englewood in Littleton, Colorado, on March 15, 2012.
Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune
Supporters drape a flag over the shoulders of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti as he speaks to reporters and supporters, gathered outside his house, on his last full day of freedom on Wednesday, March 14, 2012.
Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich acknowledges the crowd after delivering a statement on his last full day of freedom at his Chicago home on March 14, 2012.
Chris Sweda, Chicago Tribune
Former Illinois Gov Rod Blagojevich returns home after the first day of sentencing in his corruption trial. Prosecutors were asking for a sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich for convictions on 18 criminal counts. The following day, he received 14 years..
Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune
Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti leave the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago following a verdict on June 27, 2011.
E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune
Patti Blagojevich tries to avoid the crush of media and onlookers on Dec. 7, 2011 as she peels away from her husband former Gov. Rod Blagojevich after they returned home after Rod was sentenced to 14 years in his corruption retrial.
Nancy Stone, Chicago Tribune
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife, Patti, address the hoard of media at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Dec. 6, 2011, after the former governor was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Blagojevich began his remarks by quoting a line from a Rudyard Kipling poem: "If you can meet with triumph and disaster."
Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after the verdict in his corruption trial, Aug. 17, 2010.
Antonio Perez, Chicago Tribune
Norma Castillo joins about 100 people as they march outside the James R. Thompson Center on Jan. 9, 2009, rallying for Gov. Rod Blagojevich's impeachment.
Chris Walker, Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves his home for a morning run in Chicago on Jan. 9, 2009, the day the Illinois House voted to have him impeached.
CBS photo by Jeffery R. Staab
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, left, laughs with host David Letterman on the set of "The Late Show with David Letterman," in New York on Feb. 3, 2009. Blagojevich spoke to Letterman about his recent removal from office. (CBS)
Scott Strazzante / Chicago Tribune
After arriving in Times Square for an interview with the television show Extra, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti survey the scene in Times Square in New York City on Sept. 9, 2009.
Jose M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, with attorney Sheldon Sorosky, left, leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after his arraignment on federal corruption charges on April 14, 2009. Blagojevich pleaded not guilty on 16 criminal counts including racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud before U.S. District Judge James Zagel.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is the center of attention as he arrives at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for his arraignment on federal corruption charges on April 14, 2009, in Chicago. Blagojevich pleaded not guilty to 16 charges of criminal corruption including racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud before U.S. District Judge James Zagel.
Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich straightens his tie during the swearing-in ceremony for the new Senate on Jan. 14, 2009. In less than two weeks the Senate will convene for the governor's impeachment trial.
Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich presides over the swearing-in ceremony for the state Senate on Jan. 14, 2009, at the statehouse in Springfield.
AP photo by Seth Perlman
Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, is seen on a screen as the results of a vote to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich are seen below in Springfield, Ill. The House voted 114-1 to impeach with one voting present and one no vote.
Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves abruptly after making a statement Jan. 9, 2009, at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago about the Illinois House's vote to impeach him.
Chuck Berman, Chicago Tribune
Javier Jimenez, left, and Laura Zapata are among members of a coalition organized by United Neighborhood Organization calling for the resignation of Gov. Rod Blagojevich at a news conference and rally outside of the Veterans Memorial Charter School Campus on Jan. 4, 2009.
Terrence Antonio James, Chicago Tribune
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich waves to supporters outside his home in Chicago on Jan. 29, 2009, after Pat Quinn was sworn in to replace him. The Illinois Senate voted 59-0 to remove Blagojevich from office.
AP photo by Charles Rex Arbogast
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, right, poses with Second City actor Joey Bland, who plays Blagojevich in a Second City production of Rod Blagojevich Superstar, as Blagojevich guest hosts the Don and Roma radio talk show at the studios of WLS Radio in Chicago in 2009.
Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich enters his impeachment trial in the Illinois Senate, Jan. 29, 2009, in Springfield, Ill.
Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich talks on the phone outside his house Jan. 22, 2009, after speaking with the media. Blagojevich told reporters he wants to call Rahm Emanuel, President Barack Obama's chief of staff, to testify on his behalf.
Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich discusses his choice of former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate on Dec. 30, 2008, in Chicago.
Cheryl A. Cook, Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich appears before Circuit Court Judge Nan Nolan on federal corruption charges at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Dec. 9. 2008.
Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich arrives at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago on Dec. 19, 2008, to make his first public comments since his arrest on federal corruption charges Dec. 9.
Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich refuses to talk to reporters Dec. 16, 2008, as he leaves his house on the Northwest Side. He was carrying a briefcase and a gym bag. Blagojevich has ignored pressure to step down since he was charged in a federal criminal complaint with corruption. Instead, he has showed up to work at his downtown office and continued to conduct state business, including signing about a dozen bills.
Tom Van Dyke, Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich and wife, Patti, leave their Northwest Side home Dec. 14, 2008.
Tom Van Dyke, Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves the James R. Thompson Center on Dec. 11, 2008, with his security detail.
Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves his home in the Ravenswood Manor neighborhood under the watchful eye of the media Dec. 11, 2008, two days after being arrested on corruption charges.
Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune
Media surround Gov. Rod Blagojevich's Ravenswood Manor home in Chicago on Dec. 10, 2008, the day after his arrest on corruption charges.
Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune
Federal agents bring items out of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's office Dec. 9, 2008. Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested earlier in the by FBI agents for what U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called a "staggering" level of corruption involving pay-to-play politics in Illinois' top office.
Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich arrives at the Tribune Tower for an interview with CNN Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, in Chicago. Earlier, the governor had responded to the Tribune's report that he has been recorded by federal investigators, saying people should "feel free" to tape him because everything he says is lawful.
Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich talks with reporters outside the now shuttered Republic Windows and Doors plant in Chicago on Dec. 8, 2008. In addition to offering support to the workers, Blagojevich responded to questions that he has been recorded by federal investigators.
Heather Stone / Chicago Tribune
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich meets with the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board on March 8, 2007, in Chicago. He allegedly recently tried to get parent Tribune Co. to fire an editorial writer in exchange for a Wrigley Field deal.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich makes his way through a crowd following his State of the State address at the Illinois State Capitol Wednesday, March 7, 2007, in Springfield, Ill. Delivering a combined budget address and State of the State message to the General Assembly, Blagojevich said he stood with the middle class against business interests who have failed to "simply pay their fair share" of the state's tax burden. (Chicago Tribune photo by Antonio Perez) ..OUTSIDE TRIBUNE CO.- NO MAGS, NO SALES, NO INTERNET, NO TV, CHICAGO OUT.. 00275799A Budget
Jose More / Chicago Tribune
Gov. Blagojevich and his wife, Patti, dance at the inaugural ball as he starts his second term on Jan. 9, 2007.
E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti celebrate his primary victory on March 21, 2006.
Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich signs autographs during a campaign stop at the 2006 Youth Democracy Summit Chicago's South Side.
Charles Osgood / Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, center, and House Speaker Michael Madigan, right, enjoy Democratic Day at the 2006 Illinois State Fair in Springfield on Aug 16, 2006.
Nancy Stone, Chicago Tribune
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, left, and his challenger, state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, meet face to face Oct. 11, 2006, with the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board.
Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune
Gov. Blagojevich, his wife Patti and daughters Amy, 7, and Annie, 1, attend a service at Chicago's Salem Baptish Church on June 6, 2004. Blagojevich and State Sen. Emil Jones toured area churches to advocate for their budget plan.
Pete Souza / Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich confers with Rep. Rahm Emanuel prior to a lunch on Capitol Hill with the Illinois delegation on April 30, 2003.
Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich talks with Kevin and Debbie Riggins after signing a bill, the first in the country, to ban the sale of ephedra on May 25, 2003. The Riggins' son died after taking ephedra. Behind the governor are state Sen. Barack Obama and Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.
John Smierciak / Chicago Tribune
With his six-year-old daughter Amy on his lap, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich passes out pens after signing the Illinois Equal Pay Act into law at the Thompson Center in Chicago on May 11, 2003. Blagojevich's wife Patti stands behind, holding their then newborn baby, Annie.
Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune
Gov.-elect Rod Blagojevich celebrates after his victory speech at Finkl & Sons on Chicago's North Side on Nov. 6, 2002
John Lee, Chicago Tribune
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rod Blagojevich connects with a potential voter in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood on Nov. 3, 2002
Jim Prisching / Chicago Tribune
Gov. Blagojevich and Cong. Luis Gutierrez greet President Bush at O'Hare Airport for the president's visit to Chicago on June 11, 2003.
David Klobucar / Chicago Tribune
Gov. Rod Blagojevich and wife Patti introduce their newest daughter, Annie, to the media at a photo opportunity at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago on April 7, 2003. Anne, their second child and second daughter, was born the previous Saturday.
Charles Cherney / Chicago Tribune
Gov Rod Blagojevich throws out first ball at the Chicago White Sox home opener on April 4, 2003.
John Lee/Chicago Tribune
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rod Blagojevich sinks into the seat of a private plane as he and his entourage get set to take off from the Joliet airport during a three-day campaign tour of Illinois, Oct. 30, 2002.
John Kringas / Chicago Tribune
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rod Blagojevich, left, tries to get the attention of Republican rival Jim Ryan to shake his hand on Oct. 14, 2002, after the second of their four debates.
John Lee / Chicago Tribune
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rod Blagojevich leans down from a stage toward the crowd as he gets into a photograph with fans during a rally at his campaign headquarters on Chicago's North Side on Election Day 2002.
M. Spencer Green / Associated Press
Democratic gubernatorial hopeful, Rep. Rod Blagojevich, D-Ill., answsers questions from the media as he watches election returns with his wife, Patti, center, and his brother, Rob, at his home in Chicago on March 19, 2002.
Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune
Illinois Rep. Rod Blagojevich shakes hands with his supporters after making a speech announcing his candidacy for governor at A. Finkl and Sons, a specialty steel company on Chicago's Near North Side where his father worked when he was growing up, Aug. 12, 2001.
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Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich walks outside his Ravenswood Manor home after he was granted a full pardon by President Donald Trump on Feb. 10, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
The 2025 Chicago Auto Show has opened with two indoor EV test tracks, high-profile debuts and the first appearance by homegrown Rivian. The auto show runs through Feb. 17.
