GOP pols decry Blago verdict

by: Jenna Haskitt 

Local legislators were disappointed former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was found guilty on only one of 24 corruption counts Aug. 17.

"I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed because this is going to continue to embarrass the people of Illinois and as long as this continues to stay in the news, it's going to impact and hurt Illinois," State Sen. Dan Duffy, R-26th, said.

Blagojevich was found guilty of giving a false statement to federal agents. The jury was hung on the other 23 counts.

Only being found guilty on one count surprised Duffy. "It was shocking. I think the prosecution didn't state their case in a clear, logical fashion, otherwise he would have been convicted on every count," Duffy said.

"I don't know how it will affect the November election, but I do know that it's going to affect Illinois. It's going to affect our reputation. We're going to continue to be the late night punch line for TV programs nationwide," Duffy said.

State Rep. Suzie Bassi, R-54th, was also disheartened by the trial's outcome. "I think disappointed is not a strong enough word at the result of the Blagojevich trial," Bassi said.

Bassi has no problem with a retrial.

"What he's done to the state of Illinois is unconscionable. He ought to be paying for it substantially more than what this trial ended up," she said.

Only time will tell whether it will affect the November election.

"I think it might. I think there are some concerns from what I'm reading anyway in the paper and on the news channels that the Democratic party is concerned all the way around.

"Having lived through the Ryan era as well, it definitely affected the Republican party when Ryan ended up in jail. I think the same could very well happen with the Democrats particularly since they were in power and allowed it to happen," Bassi said.