The Chicago Public School system now finds itself under scrutiny from the federal government for alleged shady admissions practices at some of its more elite schools. The CPS has already launched its own internal investigation, but a source told the Tribune that the feds have served the CPS with a grand jury subpoena looking for admission process information. According to the Tribune:
The feds have hit Patti Blagojevich with a subpoena that has many wondering if she'll be joining her husband in receiving a grand jury indictment this spring. Lady Blago reportedly complied with the subpoena, handing over any and all notes relating to over 40 individuals relating things ranging from her husband's fund-raising to her own real estate deals. Speaking to the Sun-Times, her attorney Raymond Pijon said he hopes the feds "consider the 'family structure' as they weigh that decision."
More than a third of that -- about $1.3 million -- went to Blagojevich, whose administration gave 11 of the companies $656 million in contracts since 2004.Continue reading "Feds Turn Focus To Blago Donors"
The Sun-Times is reporting that the cell phone of Lon Monk, Blagojevich's first-term chief of staff and longtime friend, was tapped as part of the federal investigation into the governor. Monk was identified in court filings as "Lobbyist 1." The discovery was made as prosecutors seek to get some of the Blago Tapes released for the State House impeachment committee. We'll have a bit more on that ongoing struggle a bit later.
Oh, Governor Blagojevich. You've always been an endless source of amusement. Among other things, we've laughed over how Blago looks like both a South Park character and a Lego man. Then, there's Salon's hilarious Glengarry Rod Blagojevich [via] and Steve Rhodes had us laughing with his scale of who is drinking the most Blago Haterade.
AP Photo/Mark Carlson
Yesterday, Mick Dumke at the Reader explored the possible identities of candidates named in the Blagojevich complaint, including Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Senate Candidate 5:Continue reading "ABC News: Jesse Jackson Jr. Is Candidate 5"
AP Photo/Verna Sadock
MSNBC is reporting that Illinois Senate President Emil Jones is calling a special session of the legislature to pass a bill that will set a special election to pick Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate.
Amazing speculation this morning on Fox News that Rahm Emanuel may have been involved in going to the Feds about Blago's attempt to buy Obama's U.S. Senate seat. Like all speculation, we have to take it with a grain of salt, but this does bare watching, especially with the scrutiny that will follow on Obama's relationship with Blago. [via Think Progress]
WGN-TV reports that Blagojevich appeared in federal court this afternoon in black sweatpants and a blue and black jogging jacket and sneakers. Bond was set at $4,500, Blago must surrender his passport, he's only allowed to travel within the United States, and the next hearing is set for January 14th. The amount of bond seems pretty small but we're guessing his political standing has something to do with that. Blago's attorney in the matter is Sheldon Sorosky.
"My only concern right now is for my daughter and granddaughters (Amy and Annie)." - Ald. Richard Mell, Blago's Father-in-law
Several of us here at the Chicagoist office have been combing through the complaint against Blago and Harris and all we can say is, "holy shit." This thing is...amazing. We wish we could curl up on the sofa in front of the fire and under a blanket and live with this thing like it was a Danielle Steel novel. It's just. That. Good. Below we've collected several of our favorite quotes from the complaint, but don't let this stop you from reading the entire 70+ page document. This barely scratches the surface.
Governor Rod Blagojevich, who has enough on his mind already, hit the ground running on Monday, ordering all state agencies to cease work with Bank of America in a bid to pressure the bank into negotiating with workers at the Republic Windows and Doors where workers are in a fourth day of a sit-in. Of course, Blago isn't alone on showing support for the workers: President-Elect Obama and a gaggle of Chicago aldermen have jumped into the fray on behalf of the workers.
Governor Blagojevich suffered a setback today as the Fourth District Illinois Appellate Court ruled in favor of releasing to the public federal subpoenas his administration has received. The Better Government Association sued the Governor to release the documents under the state of Illinois' Freedom of Information Act claiming they wanted to see how extensive the corruption investigation of Blagojevich has become.
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