Blagojevich through the years

Yoko Urayame takes a photo of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s house on Chicago’s North Side on Dec. 9, 2008, after Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested by FBI agents for what U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald called a “staggering” level of corruption involving pay to play politics in Illinois’ top office.

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.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich talks with reporters outside the now shuttered Republic Windows and Doors plant in Chicago, where workers staged a sit-in. Blagojevich also responded to a report in the Chicago Tribune that he has been recorded by federal investigators, saying people should “feel free” to tape him because everything he says is lawful.

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.

John Wyma, a top fundraiser and former aide to Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves Blagojevich’s campaign office in the 4100 block of North Ravenswood Avenue in Chicago Oct. 22, 2008. Wyma started to run when he saw a Tribune reporter, but then stopped and walked to his car.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich tells reporters that he has to leave to balance a $2 billion deficit in the budget and didn’’t have time to answer questions about Antoin “Tony” Rezko during a press conference in Chicago on June 4, 2008.

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.

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  (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Gov. Blagojevich and his wife, Patti, dance at the inaugural ball as he starts his second term on Jan. 9, 2007.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich signs autographs during a campaign stop at the 2006 Youth Democracy Summit Chicago’s South Side.

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.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti celebrate his primary victory on March 21, 2006.

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.

Gov. Blagojevich and Cong. Luis Gutierrez greet President Bush at O’Hare Airport for the president’s visit to Chicago on June 11, 2003.

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.

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.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich confers with Rep. Rahm Emanuel prior to a lunch on Capitol Hill with the Illinois delegation on April 30, 2003.

Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich leaves Chicago’s Midway Airport on April 28, 2003, after holding the first of a series of five press conferences at five different airports, where he released polling results about his Fiscal Year 2004 budget proposal.

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.

Gov Rod Blagojevich throws out first ball at the Chicago White Sox home opener on April 4, 2003.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich delivers State of the State address at the State Capitolon March 13, 2003.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich takes a moment with Senate President Emil Jones and House Speaker Mike Madigan after delivering the State of the State address at the State Capitol in Springfield on March 13, 2003.

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.

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.

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.