Illinois Has Rich History In Corrupt Politicians

In light of the arrest this morning Illinois’ Democratic governor Rod Blagojevich for attempting to sell Obama’s vacated Senate seat, here’s some fun history for you.

Illinois is now well on its way to earning a fourth jailed governor since 1970. Yes, Blagojevich will be number four in a long line of corruption:

Otto Kerner, a Democrat who was governor from 1961 to 1968, served less than a year of a three-year sentence after his 1973 conviction on bribery, tax evasion and other counts. He was convicted of arranging favorable horse racing dates as governor in return for getting horse racing association stock at reduced prices. Kerner died in 1976.

Dan Walker, a Democrat who was governor from 1973 to 1977, served 1 1/2 years of a seven-year sentence after pleading guilty in 1987 to bank fraud, misapplication of funds and perjury. The charges were not related to his service as governor.

George Ryan, a Republican who was governor from 1999 to 2003, was convicted of corruption in 2006 for steering state contracts and leases to political insiders while he was Illinois secretary of state and then governor. He is serving a 6 1/2-year prison term.

Illinois missed their chance at a fifth jailed governor when William Stratton, governor in the 50’s and early 60’s, was acquitted of tax evasion.

I can only imagine what a White House full of politicians from Illinois can craft up, though I’m sure they’re way ahead of us on that one.

Source: Associated Press

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