Rod Blagojevich, affectionately known as “Blago,” is a complex figure in American politics, rising to prominence as the 40th governor of Illinois from 2003 to 2009. Born and raised in Chicago, Blagojevich earned degrees from Northwestern University in 1979 and the Pepperdine University School of Law in 1983. Initially serving as a criminal prosecutor, he transitioned to politics, representing the 33rd state house district in the Illinois House of Representatives before securing a seat as the U.S. representative from Illinois’s 5th district from 1997 to 2003.

His gubernatorial tenure witnessed noteworthy achievements, including increased public education funding, infrastructure development, and criminal justice reforms during his first term. A 2006 re-election and his second term marked the passage of impactful healthcare, gun control, and anti-discrimination bills. However, Blagojevich’s political career took a dark turn in December 2008 when a federal investigation revealed corruption charges related to an attempt to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama.

Impeached, convicted, and removed from office in 2009, Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. His fortunes changed in 2020 when then-President Donald Trump commuted his sentence after nearly eight years of incarceration. Following his release, Blagojevich hosted a politics-themed radio program, “The Lightning Rod,” on WLS-AM from May 2020 to September 2021. His story remains a complex narrative of political highs and lows, leaving an indelible mark on the political landscape of Illinois.