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Go Home Illlinois: Batting .600* Since 1977

THE PLANK DECEMBER 9, 2008

Illlinois: Batting .600* Since 1977

BY AUTHOR INFO NEEDED

The Land of Lincoln has quite the track record. As Jonathan Stein notes, four three of the state's last five governors have been indicted, and if Blagojevich does serve jail time, he'd be the third Illinois governor since 1977 to do so.

Update: Okay, slight mistake, it's only three of the last five governors who have been indicted. James Edgar (1991-1999) was never indicted. On the other hand, Otto Kerner Jr., the state's governor from 1961-1968, did end up in prison for accepting bribes. So Illinois's still batting plenty strong. 

--Bradford Plumer

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16 comments

I-L-L!

- boneill

December 9, 2008 at 1:39pm

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Springfield seems to have supplanted Chicago as the seat of corruption in Illinois.

- liberal reformer

December 9, 2008 at 1:46pm

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A proud tradition I soon hope to be a part of.  I plan to campaign in my own orange jumpsuit - or maybe, for that comforting retro vibe, a black and white striped number with a ball and chain around my ankle.  Tentative slogan:  Adaglas for Governor - Corrupt, But In Your Favor!

- adaglas

December 9, 2008 at 2:05pm

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Batting .600. The link is wrong about Jim Edgar. No idea where he got that. Edgar was investigated in a corruption scandal, but never charged with anything.

- twalker

December 9, 2008 at 2:06pm

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Boneill,

I-N-I!

(Or maybe I - Indict!)

- mbholman

December 9, 2008 at 2:06pm

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Actually a funny little bit here - Blago should reside in the governor's home in Springfield, but he has for all of his term lived in Chicago.  Ostensibly so that his wife can be closer to her family etc. etc. - thus Illinois was spared the further spectacle of the FBI calling on the official governor's reidence to deliver the indictment.

- jemerk

December 9, 2008 at 2:11pm

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Thompson indicted?   Edger indicted?     I missed those.   I think the math is wrong.

Even so, we have had 4 govs in jail since 1970.

- kenshap

December 9, 2008 at 2:13pm

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Thank you, mbholman.  

Libref, Springfield has long been just as corrupt as Chicago- we have just been more flashy, with more interesting names, up here.  We also tend to consider ourselves as not really part of Illinois, those corn-growing pie-baking mouthbreathers (I'm looking at you, adamvaught).

I fully support adaglas' campaign to be our next indicted gov, especially with its populist tilt.  Adaglas: Putting the "U" Back in Corruption

- boneill

December 9, 2008 at 2:20pm

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Kerner, Walker and Ryan have served jail time.  Blagoje-douche certainly will.  Thompson and Edgar are cool.  Pat Quinn would be a phenomenal Guv here (he is presently Lt. Gov).  A man of integrity and honesty.

- udike

December 9, 2008 at 2:23pm

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Thanks, I corrected the post.

- Brad Plumer

December 9, 2008 at 2:30pm

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I blame the sleaziness of Illinois on a Brian O'Neill of Chicago.

adaglas, if I ever lowered myself to be a resident of Ill. I would vote for you. Womanizer, dilettante, faux populist, Cubs fan, and that is what your mother says, so you are definitely right for Ill.

- blackton

December 9, 2008 at 2:36pm

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If Illinois ever lowered itself to allow you in, I'd accept that support blackie.  By the way, it's not womanizing if they all reject you.  Then it's just plain ole lechery.

Boneill (or as he'll soon be known to a loving country, "Co-Conspirator #2" is my short list for chief of staff. Adaglas for Governor - Payola You Can Believe In!  Swiss Bank Account First!  Yes I can!  Yes I can!

- adaglas

December 9, 2008 at 2:52pm

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Blackton, this Brian O'Neill is- in spite of being brilliant, charming, and devilishly handsome- extremely modest and only looks out for the good of his community.  Once, he saw a blimp.

- boneill

December 9, 2008 at 2:55pm

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....however, he was imprisoned in the Phantom Zone many years ago and replaced by a Bizarro Brian O'Neill, his exact opposite, which continues to haunt the streets and terrorize the children.

- adaglas

December 9, 2008 at 3:15pm

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"By the way, it's not womanizing if they all reject you.  Then it's just plain ole lechery." That is a keeper, brilliant

- blackton

December 9, 2008 at 5:00pm

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Today was not a good day for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Here's a round-up of posts we did

- Anonymous

December 9, 2008 at 11:44pm

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