Unjust. 14 years for having a big mouth. Never receiving a dime. Why don't we play some of Daley's private comversations for a jury. Why not some of our's.
Come on, he's arrogant and cocky. When did that become a crime. Especially in this country.

I try not to form an opinion of an accused person's innocence or guilt if I have not heard everything that the jury heard.
On the other hand, the jurors decided that they had heard enough evidence that this man was guilty of 18 counts of corruption. And I know of, and respect, Judge James Zagel.
So, I marvel at all the people who have been defending Blagojevich. When he ran for office he deceived and manipulated us, and I guess he is still succeeding in fooling a lot of people.

17 Guilty Convictions = 14 Years +$20K
Adds up to Justice served to me.

Let this be a warning to all elected officials on ALL levels...just because someone else does it, doesnt make it right. A crime is a crime. This sentence shows we arent going to just accept corruption in Il politics anymore. U commit a crime, be prepared to to go jail. At least I didnt vote for Rod or George.

Sorry..meant to type 18 Convictions

I actually think 8-10 would have been more appropriate for being an idiot. And getting caught.

I am very disappointed in the judge's sentence. Really? Fourteen years for thinking out loud? I guess Gov. Blagojevich should have sold drugs, drove drunk, raped or murdered someone because then he would have received a lighter sentence or even probation.

14 years is just right. The arguments I've heard saying "they sentence (murderers/rapists/burglars) to less time" is irrelevant. They should sentence those crooks to more time, not lessen the sentences of people who have not only betrayed the public trust but used the position for their own little power purse. I can only hope that this presents itself as a deterrent to anyone thinking of playing Mr. Powerman as an elected official.

Maybe Blago will go to the same prison with ex-gov Ryan, they can be cell mates. If there is extra room in the cell they can save a space for Je$$ie Jack$on Jr for when he's convicted too.

He has 90 days to plan his new life somewhere , I don't see him spending anytime in jail ,if it was you or me we would be wearing orange jump suit already eh .I bet he will flee, would you go ? you will be almost 70 when you get out and your kids are grown up,I don't think so . but that is me

Blago should take over the Jay Leno show when he gets out...

A local kid is heading to jail for driving drunk AND high and leaving the road and killing a pedestrian. He got 7 years. I think Blago sentance was ok, but the kids needs 20 years.

I agree with JM.

I don't think it was enough. They should be held to a much higher standard than us "sheeple". After all, they make alot of ridiculous laws with fines, for us to obey, and they feel they're above that. EVERYTHING he did was for his own gain, NOT for the good of the citizens of Illinois.

If 14 is right for Blago, 20 should be right for Obama. They both think they are above the law; only difference is that Blago didn't control the Justice Dept as does our current Campaigner-In-Chief.

I think 8 to 10 would have been more realistic but like someone else said -- I haven't sifted through all the evidence. Our sentencing structure doesn't make sense. A drunk kid kills someone and gets 7 years. Drug dealers probably get less than 14 years. I do think Blago was his own worst enemy and should have kept his mouth shut while this process played out. Oh and I think they should have admitted all the tapes.

Really homewood Jim,Maybe we should throw W, Chaney, and his crappy advisers and crew in jail, for getting us involved in 2 unfunded wars and killing thousands of our troops and innocent citizens.

Agreed Jim,but Equating Blago with Obama is a stretch.As far as I am concerned Obama hasn't done enough to convict the wall street crooks that took down our economy but he is a sincere American trying to bring us back from the brink of destruction .The same can't be said for the corporate loving ,middle class hating ,1 % loving republicans.

Jim ,Solyndra was a shot at investing into a company to help bring us out of the disaster that repealing Glass Steagal and all the other regulations that republicans love to take down.When big banks were allowed to gamble money by playing the markets our economy was doomed.Frank and Dodd was a weak attempt (although an attempt) to reign it in.Name some republican candidates that don't take money from wall street.Yea follow the money there is a lot to go around ,Gingrich ,a disgraced speaker of the house got millions as a historical lobbyist for the system he claims to hate,Romney made millions by shutting down companies ,putting people out of work and sending their jobs overseas . So who is disingenuous?

Responding to bad behavior by pointing to other bad behavior does nothing. When the discussion is about Obama, bringing up Romney and Gingrich?? Typical Democrat strategy of strawmen. You think that government has a role in private enterprise? That's insanity. Private enterprise and entreprenuers built this country. All government does is mess it up. Try to name one thing, other than national defense, that government has done better than private enterprise. Do you think USPS, Amtrak (Metra, CTA?), Cook County Hospital, and on and on, are examples of why we need MORE government?

Really Jim ,sounds like your typical strategy ,when it is used against you ,you cry foul.Your only argument now is to bash government.Which is the republican/teaparty's favorite game.
Their strategy is to underfund government to the point where it does fail.
I think the examples that you gave are actually institutions that have functioned pretty well despite what the government has done to them.The post office was doing fine before the republicans back in 2006 mandated that they fully fund pensions for the next 75 years .I've ridden Amtrack on a few trips and it was a lot of fun.I would like to see more funds for the development of high speed rail.Stroger hospital is considered to have some of the best physicians in the country.We the people are the government.How we form it ,fund it ,support it ,is how good or bad it will be.

Actually I thought the topic was Blagojevich. Then it was hijacked.

Was that the real Ted Koppel commenting? Is he a regular Patch reader?

Oak lawn gal yea,sorry I apologize

Unfortunately the court let Blago have about 71 days before he has to report to jail. It would have been better if Blago was cuffed and taken right to prison. His lawyer is all ready talking about an appeal and asking the court if Blago can stay out of prison while the case is being appealed.