Attorneys representing former governor Rod Blagojevich and his brother asked a judge yesterday to lift a restraining order, allowing them access to a $2.3 million campaign fund to pay for the ex-gov's legal fees. The attorneys claim they can prove that the money is in no way tainted and should therefor be accessible. Prosecutors in the case oppose the move, asking instead that the defense attorneys be paid at the same rate as public defenders, which is between $110 and $115 an hour. Meanwhile, with lawyers fleeing Blago's case like rats off a sinking ship, criminal defense attorney Allan A. Ackerman, who is known for defending many organized crime cases, told the AP he's been asked to join the Blago legal team. [Tribune, Sun-Times, WBBM] more ›

The two leading Democratic candidates to replace Rahm Emanuel in Chicago's Fifth Congressional District both made news over the weekend. In Federal Elections Commission reports that cover that cover Jan. 1 through Feb. 11, state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz's campaign reported that she has raised $550,594 since the campaign began, with $306,000 in the bank and $70,000 in debts. Regardless, she announced that she will loan her campaign $100,000 because she is "close to winning" the Tribune reports. "I want to put my money where my mouth is," she said. Adding muscle to her claim is State Comptroller Dan Hynes's endorsement of her. Hynes, who may be a gubernatorial candidate next year, is only the second statewide office holder to endorse in the race. State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, who may be a candidate to replace Roland Burris in the U.S. Senate, has endorsed state Rep John Fritchey. more ›

The Lord's Senator Roland Burris spoke to the press Monday night in Peoria, and what an event it was. In a nutshell, he says he told Rod Blagojevich's brother Rob that he would raise money for him, asked some people to help out, found out nobody was interested, and then told the brothers Blago that he couldn't do it, since he was seeking the senate seat himself. "So sometime shortly after Obama was elected, the brother called and I had talked to some people about trying to see if we could put a fundraiser on," Burris said. But the Chicago Public Radio Blog brings us the best bit of his statements, adding "He started talking…and talking…and talking…and talking…then contradicting…then back to talking about his involvement. The clip that the newspapers pulled doesn’t give it justice. This gives it justice." more ›