A Chicago artist sent Chicagoist a photograph demonstrating his commitment to the Windy City: A new tattoo that says "Chicago Style" amidst a hot dog, slice of pizza, Chicago skycrapers, and former governor Rod Blagojevich. Oh, and there's some payola too. This worries us, because if we see an Eliot Spitzer tattoo with the Statue of Liberty on one side, Ashley Dupre on the other and some thin crust pizza and black socks, we'll know it's the end of days. Or maybe end of days will be the Pedro Espada Jr. tattoo (with images of sushi, Pedro G., etc.) more ›

In what might be the peak of the impeached former Ililnois governor's media whirlwind, Rod Blagojevich appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. He walked out towards Letterman to the tune of "My Way" (video) and Letterman wasted no time:

Letterman: "Why exactly are you here, honest to God? more ›

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has been bringing his case—and his head of thick hair—to NYC media outlets. He hit up Good Morning America, where he told Diane Sawyer that he considered appointing to the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. The impeached governor whose trial begins at noon (no, he won't be there) explained that he realized "she probably wouldn't take it, and then if you offered it to her, how would you do it in a way that wasn't a gimmick to embarrass her." He also quoted Kipling again. Blago is also appeared on the Today Show and will head to The View (!!!!) and Larry King today. It's unclear how Blago's trial will go, consider his lead defense attorney dropped out, but senior Senator from Illinois Dick Durbin was not amused by the governor's NYC media blitz: "That’s the governor’s choice as to what he does with his time, but Barbara Walters is not on his jury." more ›

As the President-elect vacations in Hawaii, his transition team released a 5-page report emphasizing that Barack Obama had "no contact with Gov. Rod Blagojevich or his office and no one acting on Obama's behalf was involved in any 'quid pro quo' arrangement the governor allegedly sought for filling the vacant Senate seat with a candidate of Obama's choosing," according to Chicago Breaking News. Is it worth noting that the report was issued late on Christmas Eve Eve? The report says that incoming White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel had one or two conversations with Blago, but apparently the conversations were above board. From Politico: "The report does not say so, but an Obama adviser told Politico that at least one of Emanuel's calls was taped as part of the federal investigation into corruption in the governor's office." more ›

Embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich made his first public remarks after being accused of trying to sell a soon-to-be vacated Senate seat and other charges. Besides saying he would not resign, Blago started off with, "I'm here to tell you right off the bat that I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing, that I intend to stay on the job, and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight, I will fight, I will fight until I take my last breath." more ›

Who doesn't love an embattled, corrupt governor? Especially when he was apparently trying to sell President-elect Obama's Senate seat? Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is on the cover of the NY Post and Daily News, which devote a serious amount of ink to the scandal. Of course, we're a little disappointed there's no board game imagery on the Post's front page—it Operation Board Games and all. more ›