Illinois politicians react to Blagojevich sentence

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti Blagojevich leave their home to go to his sentencing hearing Wednesday in Chicago. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

BLOOMINGTON – Reaction is pouring in from Illinois politicians to news that one of their former peers, Rod Blagojevich, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Gov. Pat Quinn, who ran alongside Blagojevich for lieutenant governor in 2002 and 2006, says corruption has no place in Illinois politics, and a 14-year prison sentence is fair.

“I think the sentence is very stiff indeed, but necessary,” he said. “I think sometimes the only way you send a message to the public, as well as those in public office, is to have a very stiff sentence when someone commits a crime.”

Talking to reporters in Chicago, Quinn highlighted steps Illinois has taken in the past few years to reform state government, focusing on workers compensation, state pensions and voters’ newfound ability to recall a governor.

Quinn hopes that privilege will never be used, but says it could come to that should another Rod Blagojevich-type politician take office.

State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said it was a just sentence.

“And I hope that justice has been served here and that we can now finally put this sad chapter in our state’s history behind us,” he said.

Brady said it’s going to take some time to clean up Illinois’ image as one of the most corrupt states in the nation.

“We need to now move forward by continuing to make sure we have some of the toughest ethics legislation in the state, we move forward by putting all elected officials on notice that you don’t betray the public’s trust, and you send a stern reminder for those who do that it will not be tolerated,” Brady said.

WJBC’s Jim Fitzpatrick talked to State Rep. Brady.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, said Blagojevich put “pay-to-play politicians” into the everyday language of Illinoisans and damaged the credibility of all state leaders.

“Despite his claims to be a reformer, his gross violation of the ethical standards and laws of Illinois is yet another reminder for all of us to be even more vigilant about wrongdoing by those who serve and those who attempt to illegally influence government for their own benefit,” Brady said.

Secretary of State Jesse White said the people of Illinois “deserve better.”

“I want to commend Judge James Zagel on his firm but just sentence of former governor Rod Blagojevich,” White said. “Hopefully this sends a strong message that unethical conduct is unacceptable. Blagojevich’s actions were particularly offensive given that he talked about reforming government in the wake of the scandals that had plagued the Secretary of State’s office during the years of George Ryan.”

Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, who ran unsuccessfully against Blagojevich for governor in 2008, said she takes no joy in seeing any father taken from his family.

“And yet there is no question in my mind that it is the right decision given the extraordinary damage Blagojevich caused our state, and the importance of sending a clear and unmistakable message that corruption will not be tolerated in our government,” she said. “Rod Blagojevich ran as a reformer and proved to be worse than anything that came before him. His reckless and self-serving handling of state finances has put Illinois billions of dollars in the hole, and ensured that it will operate at a deficit for years to come.

“His rampant corruption in mixing money, politics and government service undermined our system and further jaded an already-cynical public. And his refusal to accept any responsibility for his actions, while mocking his prosecution in his many media interviews, once again made Illinois and its government a national joke,” Topinka said.

Topinka said the former governor will have plenty of time to consider his performance and quietly assess the consequences of his actions.

“It may seem like an eternity to him, but in truth, the damage he has caused to our state will far outlast any prison sentence he will serve,” Topinka said.

Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, D-Ill., a former prosecutor, said the sentencing will not kill the state’s pay-to-play culture unless it prompts serious ethics reform.

“We cannot rely on a prison sentence to deter corruption,” Simon said. “Illinois needs stronger ethics laws to kill pay-to-play politics. It’s time we expose conflicts of interest before they cost taxpayers, and clear the way for true public servants to rebuild trust with the public. Increased transparency, coupled with the threat of serious prison time, can end these shameful courtroom battles. Together we can put this chapter behind us, restore integrity to government and live up to our legacy as the Land of Lincoln.”

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady struck a more partisan tone, saying the conviction and sentence is an example of why Republicans in Illinois provide the only hope for reform and a return to fiscal sanity.

“Today’s sentence ends the Rod Blagojevich saga, but unfortunately his enablers continue to burden the people of Illinois with financial mismanagement and higher taxes that have caused the downward spiral of the Illinois economy, and also widespread distrust of our public officials,” Pat Brady said.

Republican State Treasurer Dan Rutherford said Blagojevich brought the 14-year sentence on himself.

“He deceived the people of Illinois far too long for what the jury substantiated as his own personal gain. Today’s sentencing is proof that such corrupt, embarrassing behavior will no longer be tolerated in Illinois. Rod Blagojevich hurt my hometown of Pontiac. He harmed families and businesses in Livingston County. His prison time is no reconciliation, but it does vindicate some of the pain he unnecessarily inflicted on Livingston County,” Rutherford said.

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., said Illinois must “move past this humiliating time in history and turn our focus toward working together to rebuild Illinois,” though he said some justice was served.

“Rod Blagojevich has never understood the fundamental difference between serving the public and serving his own personal interests; ultimately, the people of Illinois have suffered the consequences,” Kinzinger said.

WJBC’s Eric Stock, Paul Morello, Beth Whisman and Stephanie Pawlowski contributed to this report.