The prosecution rested their case against former governor Rod Blagojevich yesterday, more than a month ahead of schedule, after two last witnesses. Judge Zagel also granted the defense's request to adjourn until Monday after they claimed the early end to the prosecution's case has left them in a lurch because they were preparing as if they'd have a few more weeks. In a hearing yesterday, the defense showed their hand as to what we can expect when the trial picks back up again next week. more ›

Another week of testimony kicked off in the corruption trial of the Brothers Blagojevich yesterday with talk about Patti's hair (no, really), saw several people take the stand, had plenty of talk of Rahm Emanuel, and wrapped with a big witness just starting what is expected to be several days of testimony. Just another day in Blago Court. Cross-examination of Ali Ata, which was the focus at the end of last week, concluded quickly and then the prosecution called Michael Horst who they allege was nominated for the same job as Ata - head the Illinois Finance Authority - as a cover and that the job was going to Ata all along. After Horst was horsetrack owner John Johnston who was an alleged extortion victim of Blago's. In 2008, a 2006 law requiring casinos to share a piece of their profits to subsidize the tracks was up for renewal. Once the state legislator passed the law, however, then-governor Blagojevich let the bill sit, meaning Johnston missed out on as much as $9,000 per day. Johnston, who had previously contributed to Blago but had no plans to do so in late 2008, alleged that Lon Monk pressured him at a December 2008 meeting to make a contribution to Blago, alluding to the unsigned bill. During cross-examination, Team Blago attorney Sam Adam, Sr. tried to put the onus of the pressure on Monk, separating the ex-gov from the alleged shakedown on Johnston. more ›

A Chicago Christian Industrial League homeless shelter is struggling to stay afloat after a deal by Mayor Daley moved them to new digs they can't afford and Patti Blagojevich's fundraising efforts have fallen short according to an investigation by NBC 5 and the Sun-Times. It seemed at first to be pretty simple: the city moved the League 's homeless shelter from its "crumbling" Greektown location into a new $25 million building in Lawndale which cleared the way for developer Michael Marchese and businessman William F. Cellini - who was recently indicted for trying to shake down a Hollywood producer - to build a brand-spanking-new condo unit on the site of the old shelter. What could go wrong? more ›

Blagojevitch lawyers Sam Adams, Jr. (left) and Ed Genson (right) confer while facing the state's impeachment committee. AP Photo/Seth Perlman