Illinois Senate Tries to Cash In On Blago Book Deal

Any excuse to use the Blago-skull:

State sentors voted 59-0 to authorize the attorney general to sue Blagojevich after his criminal trial for "all proceeds traceable to the elected official's offense" on behalf of the state. They're trying to set it up so they can seize the money he makes on a book deal.

"Were not trying to prevent him from making a living. We're trying to prevent him from taking advantage of the people of the state of Illinois," said Sen. Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills), the bill's lead Senate sponsor.

Link said the legislation, sponsored by Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) in the House, would not apply to income former First Lady Patti Blagojevich derives from her role in NBC's jungle-based, reality show, "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!"

Blagojevich's attorneys counter that the law is "patently unconstitutional" and I tend to agree. Didn't we just have a national conversation about bills of attainder? The bill's supporters say they've modeled the law on other states' laws which prevent criminals from profiting from their crimes. The difference, however, is that this one pretty clearly targets Blagojevich.

posted by Gabriel Malor at 11:11 AM

| Access Comments