Madigan: Blagojevich Forfeited State Pension

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich shouldn't get his state pension benefits -- roughly $65,000 per year -- because his felony convictions "clearly arose out of an in connection with his service as governor," Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan opined Thursday.

Her statement, issued a day after the former governor was sentenced to 14 years on federal corruption charges, was submitted to the General Assembly Retirement System, which will ultimately decide whether Blagojevich is warranted the funds.

In her 10-page statement (.pdf), Madigan relates Pension Code to the charges with which Blagojevich was ultimately convicted:

"None of the benefits herein provided for shall be paid to any person who is convicted of any felony relating to or arising out of or in connection with his or her service as a member," Section 2-156 of the Pension Code states.

Blagojevich will likely be able to keep his federal pension -- roughly $15,000 annually -- for his time served as a member of the U.S. Congress.

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