Redemption for Blagojevich

Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln

Feb 11, 2025 View in browser   By Shia Kapos Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. Enjoy today's flurries before the real snow hits this week. TOP TALKER Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, with his wife, Patti, talk to reporters after President Donald Trump pardoned him Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. | Shia Kapos/POLITICO PARDON MOI: President Donald Trump issued a full pardon for Rod Blagojevich on Monday, five years after commuting the former governor’s federal prison sentence for corruption. “I have everlasting gratitude to President Trump for what he’s done today,” Blagojevich said during an evening press conference outside of his Chicago home with wife Patti Blagojevich, attorney Leonard Goodman and adviser Mark Vargas standing by his side. In signing the pardon, Trump called Blagojevich “a very nice person” with a “fantastic wife [who] fought like hell to get him out.” Blagojevich told reporters Trump phoned two weeks ago giving him a heads-up that a pardon was coming. Ambassador Blago? The former Democratic governor has also been reported to be up for an appointment as the U.S. ambassador to Serbia — a point that Blagojevich declined to comment on Monday. He is of Serbian descent and has traveled twice to Serbia in recent months for trips funded by private donors, according to a person close to him. About reentering politics: Blagojevich also declined to comment on whether he might run for office again. Illinois law forbids him to run for state or local office — but that was before the pardon wiped away his criminal record. Elections officials are studying the law. There’s nothing stopping Blagojevich from running for federal office, however. Blagojevich was convicted in 2011 on charges that included trying to sell or trade the appointment to the Senate seat that had been held by Barack Obama after he was elected president and on charges of extorting a Chicago children’s hospital. Blagojevich served eight of 14 years before Trump commuted his sentence as part of a slate of other pardons and commutations. Illinois lawmakers also impeached him. No regrets: Blagojevich — who’s one of four Illinois governors to serve time — said he has no regrets for the wheeling and dealing that got him in trouble with the feds. “That was good government. The first mayor, Daley, used to say ‘good politics is good government. Good government is good politics’,” said Blagojevich. The pardon isn’t sitting well with Democrats. Gov. JB Pritzker, who criticized Trump five years ago for commuting Blagojevich's sentence, declined to comment Monday. Former Gov. Pat Quinn, who was Blagojevich’s lieutenant governor and became governor after Blagojevich’s impeachment, said Trump’s pardon “blessed political corruption in Illinois.” Sen. Dick Durbin, also a Democrat, issued a statement, saying, “In a state with more than its fair share of public corruption, the Blagojevich chapter still looms as one of the worst. America and Serbia deserve better.” And Comptroller Susana Mendoza and Treasurer Mike Frerichs criticized the pardon, too. Republicans were mostly quiet. The Illinois Republican Party declined to comment. But Congressman Darin LaHood called the pardon “a mistake,” saying while he respects Trump’s authority to pardon, Blagojevich “has a clear and documented record of egregious corruption and has been criminally convicted by a jury. This decision harms the faith and trust citizens have in our justice system.” A voice in support: Republican DuPage County Board member Jim Zay said, “The former governor has served his time, and it’s time to move on,” reports the Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau. What’s next? Watch for Blagojevich, who calls himself a “Trump-ocrat,” to continue his fierce support for the president. “He’s a great effing guy,” Blagojevich said of Trump and giving a hat tip to the phrase heard on FBI tapes: “I’ve got this thing, and it’s fucking golden.” More on the pardon and reax, by the Tribune’s Rick Pearson, Ray Long and Jeremy Gorner RELATED: Trump’s Justice Department moves to drop charges against Eric Adams, by POLITICO’s Jeff Coltin, Joe Anuta and Josh Gerstein THE BUZZ ������CRYING IN THE BEER: Gov. JB Pritzker criticized President Donald Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum, saying it will have a huge ripple effect on the economy — including on the sale of beer. Pritzker pointed to a start-up craft brewer he had just visited who said the threat of aluminum tariffs threatened his business. “The cost for him of providing beer in a can would go up substantially and may make it so that they would have to go out of business,” Pritzker told reporters. “It's already expensive. We’ve got barley that comes across the border from Canada that would be subject to the Canadian tariffs. These are enormous tariffs.” If you are Len Goodman, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com WHERE'S JB At Hire360 at 10 a.m. to announce plans for the “Aspen Ideas: Climate” conference WHERE's BRANDON No official public events Where's Toni At the Cook County Health Professional Building at 9:30 a.m. to recognize American Heart Month — At the Cook County Building at noon with United Way of Metro Chicago to celebrate "211 Day,” a free, 24/7 helpline Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@politico.com   We’ve re-imagined and expanded our Inside Congress newsletter to give you unmatched reporting on Capitol Hill politics and policy -- and we'll get it to your inbox even earlier. Subscribe today.     BUSINESS OF POLITICS — Handicapping who might be the next mayor of Chicago, by Chicago magazine’s Ted McClelland — Aaron Del Mar teases run for 'higher office,' sparking 2026 Illinois governor speculation, by Catrina Barker for the Center Square — New campaign: Americans for Prosperity-Illinois, a conservative political advocacy group affiliated with brothers Charles Koch and the late David Koch, has launched a digital and mail campaign targeting some Illinois lawmakers for their actions on property taxes and pensions. The group says taxes are too high and spending is “out of control.” THE STATEWIDES — Pritzker signs ‘Karina’s law’ to remove guns from domestic violence situations: “Bill named for Chicago woman killed after receiving order of protection,” by Capitol News’ Ben Szalinski. — How Trump’s plan to shrink the federal workforce could impact Illinois: The number of federal employees is at 82,000, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. “That makes the federal government, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office, the second largest employer in the state behind the Illinois government,” by WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky. Related: Trump’s ‘deferred resignation’ offer for federal workers remains in limbo, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein — Illinois joins nearly two dozen states suing Trump administration to halt cuts in medical research funding, by the Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout and Kaitlin Washburn — Illinois had record $2B in legal marijuana sales in 2024, by the Daily Herald’s Jake Griffin — Pritzker delays start of invasive carp project at Brandon Road in Joliet amid federal funding concerns, by the Tribune’s Adriana Pérez CHICAGO — Finance Committee signs off on Johnson's $830M general obligation bond issue: “After last year’s budget stalemate, Standard & Poor’s dropped Chicago’s bond rating, which determines the city’s borrowing costs. That’s expected to cost Chicago taxpayers tens of millions of dollars over the next 40 years, and the $830 million bond issue OK’d Monday by the Finance Committee will be the first major test,” by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. — Months after axing ShotSpotter, city seeks proposals for ‘gun violence’ detection system, by the Block Club’s Quinn Myers and Mack Liederman — Chicago says it hopes to open city-owned market instead of city-owned grocery store, by the Tribune’s Talia Soglin COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Cicero town president candidate's home, campaign office vandalized: “Surveillance video captured an unidentified person throwing a brick in the home of Esteban Rodriguez, a candidate for town president,” via NBC 5. — As Bally’s Chicago navigates challenges, south suburban newcomer Wind Creek becoming big player among state’s casinos, by the Tribune’s Robert Channick   A new era in Washington calls for sharper insights. Get faster policy scoops, more congressional coverage, and a re-imagined newsletter under the leadership of Jack Blanchard. Subscribe to our Playbook Newsletter today.     Reader Digest We asked what you do with your pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. Stella Black: “I save quarters featuring women for my granddaughters, and I put the rest of the change in a jar and take it to the bank.” John Cusack: “I use quarters for carts at Aldi. Doesn’t everyone?” Mike Gascoigne: “I collect them in a jar that I turn in every now and then for cash. It's a nice little payday when it happens.” Lucas Hawley: “I only use coins when scratching a lotto scratch-off ticket!” Charles Keller: “I use coins as ball markers when I’m putting.” Penny Mautino: “I still use cash and coins for things under $20.” James Mendez: “I just used them last week in Springfield to pay for a parking meter near the Capitol.” Sinhue Mendoza: “My condo in East Lakeview doesn't have an in-unit so I always need quarters for laundry and yes, I still stop and pick up change when I see it on the street!” Joan Pederson: “Only at a drive-thru restaurant because coins accumulate in my car from breaking a $20 bill to buy coffee at the same drive-thru.” Mike Ragen: “I give the retailer back any pennies ‘for the next guy’ who might need a couple. The other coins I keep.” Timothy Thomas: “I use them to round up a purchase so that I only get paper change.” Brent Zhorne: “I collect coins. It’s plastic for everything I buy.” Next question: What would a good title be for Rod Blagojevich's book? Email skapos@politico.com THE NATIONAL TAKE — Johnson quietly shops new budget blueprint, by POLITICO’s Rachael Bade and Meredith Lee Hill — Trump is slashing agencies long hated by the GOP. The next cuts might be harder, by POLITICO’s Megan Messerly, Holly Otterbein and Dasha Burns — Vance embraces role as social media provocateur, by POLITICO’s Adam Wren TRANSITIONS — Keiana Barrett has been named CEO of the Business Leadership Council, a Chicago area organization of Black corporate leaders and entrepreneurs. Barrett has been a longtime member. She most recently was senior adviser to the Host Committee of the 2024 Democratic National Convention. And earlier held positions with Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, DC., and Sterling Bay. — Cory Ryan is now emergency management watch officer for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security. He was legislative liaison. Victor Zepeda-Martinez now handles legislative affairs for the agency after working in the Illinois House speaker’s office. — Emily Jensen is now development manager at Haymarket Center. She had worked at Rush University Medical Center in healthcare administration. EVENTS — Feb. 19: Chicago Ald. William Hall is holding a Happy Hour With Hall fundraiser. Details here TRIVIA MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Ed Mazur for correctly answering that bricks from the old Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field were added to Tribune Tower’s facade in 2015. TODAY’s QUESTION: What was the first high-rise parking garage in Chicago? Email skapos@politico.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY Former state legislator Susan Garrett, Bank of America VP David Stern, Small Business Advocacy Council President Elliot Richardson, government relations expert Mark Palmer, comms pro Kim Shepherd and Playbooker Federica Ferrari -30- Correction: Monday's Illinois Playbook misspelled DuPage County Board Chair Deb Conroy’s name.   Follow us on Twitter Shia Kapos @shiakapos   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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