Rod R. Blagojevich

Democrat Representative of Illinois's 5th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

December 10, 1956 (68 years old)

Birthday

Served as the 40th governor of Illinois from 2003 to 2009
Impeached, removed from office, convicted, and incarcerated for eight years on federal charges of public corruption
Previously served as an Illinois state representative and a U.S. representative
Born and raised in Chicago, graduated from Northwestern University and Pepperdine University School of Law
Worked as a criminal prosecutor before entering politics
Increased public education funding, infrastructure development, and criminal justice reforms during his first term as governor
His second term saw the passage of healthcare, gun control, and anti-discrimination bills
Attempted to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama, leading to his impeachment and removal
Barred by the Illinois Senate from holding public office within the state ever again
Sentence was commuted by U.S. President Donald Trump in 2020 after nearly eight years of imprisonment
Hosted a politics-themed radio program called The Lightning Rod after his release from prison