With 20 minutes to spare, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich landed in Chicago the same day his 14-year prison sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump, signing autographs at O’Hare International Airport as he continued to insist on his innocence.
Repeating, “There’s no place like home,” Blagojevich stepped off the jetway bridge and immediately thanked Trump.
“I’m profoundly grateful to President Trump, and I will be for as long as I live,” Blagojevich told reporters. “He didn’t have to do this. He’s a Republican president. I was a Democratic governor. But he’s a man who’s not only tough and outspoken, strong, but he has a kind heart. And I’ll be forever grateful.”
The abrupt journey home began when Trump announced Tuesday that the disgraced Chicago Democrat would be freed from federal prison following years of imploring from Blagojevich and his wife. Now 63, Blagojevich was scheduled to be released in March 2024 after being convicted of trying to sell former President Barack Obama’s Senate seat as well as shaking down the executives of a children’s hospital and the horse racing industry for campaign contributions.
He touched down in Chicago about 11:40 p.m. Tuesday. As he strolled through Terminal 1, he shook hands with people who recognized him even with his dark hair now silver. He tried to squeeze past a mass of reporters near the baggage claim and climb into a white van, only to be met by more people stopping him for autographs, which he obliged.
Blagojevich’s attitude toward his charges reflected his new benefactor, Trump, who denied any wrongdoing during his own impeachment trial. Echoing the president’s accusations of “witch hunt,” Blagojevich said it was in fact he who was the victim of a shakedown and false accusations.
“I had a unique opportunity to represent Congress and be (Illinois’) governor for six years and fight for things I truly believe is good for people,” he said, adding “the fight” now was against the “people that did this to me” and to regain the public’s trust.
“That if I were to give in to the pressure and give in to the shakedown that was done to me, that I would be violating my oath of office to fight for the Constitution and fight for the rule of law and keep my promises to (the public),” he said. ” ‘Cause I didn’t do the things they said I did. And they lied on me.”
Moments later, he greeted people passing through the airport and cheerfully told admirers, “God bless you, God bless you, thank you so much.”
Because Blagojevich’s sentence was commuted and not pardoned, he remains a felon. He said he intends to fight for criminal justice reform after his time in prison, though he did not elaborate on how, beyond a desire to share his experience and provide insights on what he learned.
After christening himself as a “Trump-ocrat,” Blagojevich also credited his wife’s devotion to his sudden freedom.
“I love her,” Blagojevich said. “I made a lot of mistakes in my life. But the best thing I ever did was falling in love and being in love with Patti, and I can’t wait to see her and our daughters Amy and Annie. It’s been a long time.”
Before Trump stunned the Illinois political world and beyond by commuting the impeached ex-governor’s 14-year sentence, he dangled the possibility about two years ago and ignited his family’s hopes of an early release. He publicly mused over freeing Blagojevich and criticized the length of his sentence, most recently in August while aboard Air Force One.
Patti Blagojevich wasted no time in appealing to the president, appearing on Fox News multiple times to praise Trump and deride his opponents. She did not speak to reporters Tuesday, but tweeted the family would hold a news conference Wednesday morning outside their Ravenswood house.
Rod Blagojevich said he spoke with his wife and two daughters multiple times Tuesday and that they were thrilled.
Their enthusiasm was not returned by other politicians in Chicago and Illinois, who across the spectrum criticized Trump’s decision.
“Illinoisans have endured far too much corruption, and we must send a message to politicians that corrupt practices will no longer be tolerated,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement. “President Trump has abused his pardon power in inexplicable ways to reward his friends and condone corruption, and I deeply believe this pardon sends the wrong message at the wrong time.”
The Illinois GOP echoed Pritzker’s outrage, stating that they were “disappointed” by the commutation and castigated Blagojevich as “the face of public corruption in Illinois.”
On Tuesday, Blagojevich also applauded Trump for pardoning former New York police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, who was convicted of tax frauds and sentenced in 2010. The ex-governor called him “an American hero” for his handling of the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Along with Kerik, Trump on Tuesday also granted clemency to a slew of other men sentenced for corruption.
Just 20 minutes after midnight Wednesday, Blagojevich pulled up to his house on the corner of Sunnyside Avenue and Richmond Street. Dozens of reporters, supporters, neighbors and protesters swarmed him the second he came out of a white SUV.
Television cameras were quick to surround him. He took a few steps backward, then pivoted forward to address the cameras. Supporters screamed “Welcome home!” and “Back away legacy media!” as reporters asked questions. A man in a suit and red tie grabbed his arm and led him quickly toward his home.
Blagojevich paused for a moment halfway up the steps to his front door. He leaned over the green metal railing — where a sign reading “Thanks Mr. President” hung next to a red heart balloon — and shook the hand of a supporter.
He pointed at someone and said, “I appreciate you,” as another man yelled to him, “I was here the last time!”
Blagojevich gave a final wave and said “God bless you” as those with him separated a supporter who followed him. His dog started barking inside as the door closed shut.
Some of the people said they had been waiting outside before noon to catch a glimpse of him. One man brought tacos. Another brought a sleeping bag. Blagojevich’s walk out of the car door to his front door lasted just under 2 minutes.
“That was it?” some murmured at the end as the former governor peeked out of a side window.
ayin@chicagotribune.com
