Two days and counting.
Convicted former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has picked a time for his public farewell statement before reporting to prison Thursday for 14 years. Blagojevich will speak at 5:02 p.m. Wednesday outside his Ravenswood Manor home, spokesman Glenn Selig said.
Selig commented in his own statement last week that Blagojevich has never hid from the public and indeed enjoyed being in the spotlight. And for the record, Selig said the former governor "never considered 'sneaking' out of Chicago and miss an opportunity to say goodbye."
"It’s difficult to put into words the challenges he and his family now face. But he draws strength from the incredible support he continues to receive from the people of Illinois and beyond.”
Blagojevich's time is nearly up before he must report Thursday to the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Englewood in Littleton, Colo. Here's what's being said leading up to his prison date:
- Blagojevich picks prime time for Wednesday farewell (Chicago Tribune)
- Predictions for Blagojevich's goodbye speech (Eric Zorn, Tribune)
- Mayor Emanuel's thoughts are with Blagojevich's family (Sun-Times)
- A writer who's feeling sorry for Blagojevich: (Chicago Now)
- Ex-inmates say Blagojevich will find prison quite jolting (Politico)
A look back at how he got here:
- Blagojevich sentenced to 14 years for corruption
- Blagojevich found guilty on 17 counts during corruption retrial
- Guilty on one court during first trial
And what's to come:
