Blagojevich Retrial Goes To Jury
The corruption retrial of ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich was passed to a jury Thursday, after federal prosecutor's and defense attorneys offered their final arguments.
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The corruption retrial of ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich was passed to a jury Thursday, after federal prosecutor's and defense attorneys offered their final arguments.
Rod Blagojevich's defense attorney delivered a passionate closing argument on Thursday, saying prosecutors had proven nothing criminal and that the government wanted the jury to be nothing more than a "rubber stamp" for their case against the former governor.
Federal prosecutors began their closing argument in Rod Blagojevich's corruption retrial on Wednesday, telling jurors that the former governor lied to them repeatedly during his seven days on the witness stand.
Rod Blagojevich wrapped up his testimony at his corruption retrial on Tuesday after seven days on the witness stand, including three days of cross-examination by federal prosecutors.
During a full day of cross-examination at Rod Blagojevich's corruption retrial, federal prosecutors repeatedly tried to use the former governor's own words to discredit him and paint him as dishonest.
Federal prosecutors wasted no time painting Rod Blagojevich as a habitual liar on Thursday as they began cross examining the former governor at his corruption retrial on Thursday.
Sounding nervous and hesitant, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday tried to explain his most notorious comment caught on FBI wiretaps in his corruption case, but told his defense attorney he was "afraid" to do so.
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich testified Thursday that he had no interest in getting campaign cash in exchange for appointing someone to President Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat in 2008.
Rod Blagojevich was back on the stand on Friday in what turned-into a family affair as his oldest daughter Amy attended the trial, but that wasn't the only change in the courtroom. One of the 18 jury members was no longer in court.
Rod Blagojevich has begun defending himself against various shakedown allegations at his corruption retrial, although it took him a few hours to begin directly addressing the charges against him on Thursday.
Rod Blagojevich's attorneys said the former governor is planning to take the stand on Thursday, but they conceded that decision could change at the last minute.
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich will testify in his own defense at his federal corruption trial, a source tells CBS 2.
Rod Blagojevich's defense attorneys initially planned to begin calling their first witnesses on Monday, but late Friday afternoon, court officials announced the trial will not resume until Wednesday.
After federal prosecutors rested their case against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Thursday, defense attorneys told the judge they plan to begin calling witnesses next week.
If you've been following what news there is about the Blagojevich trial, you must be thinking by now that Blago is going down. Walter Jacobson is thinking that because of how unfair the judge seems to be.
Federal prosecutors have said they expect to rest their case against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Thursday, and the defense team has been told to be ready to begin presenting its case on Monday.
Rod Blagojevich's college roommate and first chief of staff as governor testified Tuesday that he helped the governor try to shake down a racetrack owner for campaign cash in exchange for signing legislation to help the horse racing industry.
The federal judge in the Rod Blagojevich trial has accused defense attorneys of trying to put the prosecution on trial.
The judge in Rod Blagojevich's corruption retrial again has warned defense attorneys not to make arguments while questioning witnesses, or he might cut short their closing argument when the trial ends.
An Indian-American businessman testified Wednesday that he approached Rod Blagojevich's brother in October 2008 with an offer of campaign cash in exchange for naming Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. to the U.S. Senate seat that would soon be vacated by Barack Obama.
Jurors in the corruption retrial of Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday heard the secretly recorded phone conversation in which the former governor calls the U.S. Senate set he is accused of trying to sell "f***ing golden."
Two federal lawmakers from Illinois have mounted an effort to get tougher on public corruption, by giving new tools to prosecutors.
A defense attorney for Rod Blagojevich drew some harsh criticism from the judge at the former governor's corruption retrial on Monday for repeatedly asking questions that the judge had already ruled were "out of bounds."
When Rod Blagojevich learned in late 2008 that all he would get from the Obama administration was thanks and appreciation for appointing a friend President-elect Barack Obama to the U.S. Senate, he had two simple words for the White House: "F*** them."
A former top aide to Rod Blagojevich testified on Tuesday that the deposed governor asked him what he could get for himself in exchange for appointing a U.S. Senator about a month before Barack Obama was elected president in 2008 and vacated his Senate seat.
Achatz, whose world-renowned fine dining restaurant, Alinea, was built on the ethos of near constant change and creativity, is no stranger to the swerves of life.
Lincoln Park resident Michael McKee is accused of the killing of his ex-wife and her current husband inside their Columbus, Ohio, home.
Shortly after 1 a.m. on May 22, 2023, a 62-year-old man was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk in the 2200 block of South State Street when he was attacked.
Illinois State Police did not release how many people were hurt or the severity of those injuries.
Bears fans are still basking in the victory over the Green Bay Packers Saturday night.
This weekend, CBS News Chicago's Jermont Terry hosted a forum with Democratic candidates hoping to fill the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois).
A federal judge has temporarily blocked HHS from halting $10 billion in social services funding to five states, a move the agency argued was necessary to crack down on fraud — but the states called unconstitutional.
Saying "Chicago is in crisis," U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley said he plans to run for mayor in 2027, even as he is in the midst of a congressional re-election campaign.
The White House shared video showing a different angle of Renee Nicole Good's shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis and the moments that led up to it, as the investigation continues.
California, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois and New York called the move an unconstitutional abuse of power.
Police in the west Chicago suburb of Geneva are warning of a scam involving spoofed phone numbers.
Protesters on Tuesday were cranking up the heat on Peoples Gas over a recently proposed rate hike that would add an additional $10 to $11 a month to utility bills.
A lawsuit filed late last month took Chicago-based McDonald's to task over the McRib sandwich, calling its name a form of false advertising.
As this holiday season nears its end, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias issued a warning Tuesday about text scams.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
January is Radon Action Month, and the Cook County Department of Public Health is urging residents to test their homes for radon.
Severe flu season is sending many people to hospital emergency rooms across the country, including in the Chicago area.
Unionized health care workers this week took aim at Northwestern Medicine, saying the health care system needs to hire more people before expanding the emergency room at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that its recommendations for childhood vaccines will not be affected by a change in federal guidelines.
The first pediatric flu death for this year's flu season has been reported, Illinois health officials said, as flu cases across the state continue to rise.
The Piggery, a popular barbecue restaurant and bar in the northwest corner of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, announced Thursday that it is going out of business.
The Lincolnwood Town Center mall in the north Chicago suburb of Lincolnwood has been sold to a developer, the village announced Wednesday.
They do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but a longtime Chicago fried chicken institution said imitation went too far after a new business opened with a very similar name.
A lawsuit filed late last month took Chicago-based McDonald's to task over the McRib sandwich, calling its name a form of false advertising.
American Airlines announced Monday that it is adding 100 more departures from Chicago early next year as it continues its expansion at O'Hare International Airport.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch and stream the 2026 Golden Globes.
Chicago Theatre Week brings value-priced tickets for shows from Feb. 5 until Feb. 15 at Chicago's stage venues. Tickets can sell for $30, $15, or even less.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. is perhaps best known for his role as state Sen. R. Clayton "Clay" Davis on HBO's "The Wire."
It marks the second lawsuit in recent months accusing the filmmaker and studio mogul of leveraging his power in Hollywood to make sexual advances.
The band announced Perry Bamonte's death on their official website on Friday.
Sunshine makes a return Monday as clouds clear throughout the day and temperatures jump into the lower 40s.
The deer took on the 1.7-ton rhino as a sparring partner in a video captured on Thursday.
The 65-year-old was taken to Lutheran General Hospital, where she died.
The car company is recalling the vehicles because rearview camera image may not appear when the car is in reverse.
This season has offered its own opportunities for change for the chef, including marrying the love of his life, becoming a mentor, and leaning into what's next for Alinea.
Lincoln Park resident Michael McKee is accused of the killing of his ex-wife and her current husband inside their Columbus, Ohio, home.
A cardiologist said he's seen a real-life increase in hospitalizations during playoff games.
Achatz, whose world-renowned fine dining restaurant, Alinea, was built on the ethos of near constant change and creativity, is no stranger to the swerves of life.
A man was stabbed on a CTA Red Line train along the Dan Ryan Expressway early Sunday morning.
Fans were jubilant this weekend after the Chicago Bears sent the Green Bay Packers packing in a stunning victory.
Fire department officials in Chicago's western suburbs said drone technology has been helping keep firefighters safe and make a major impact on public safety.
With the stores becoming a common target for thieves, some of the stores in the Chicago area are taking new steps to fight back.
As thousands of people are expected downtown for New Year's Eve celebrations, Mayor Johnson, the Chicago police, and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications are trying to get out ahead of any safety concerns.
Cameras not working, video evidence missed by police and a psychic that leads a hit and run victim's son to a clue that changes the case
Some Chicago area hospitals are at risk of significant flooding both in and around the buildings, according to new KFF Health News/Fathom models.
Bears fans are still basking in the victory over the Green Bay Packers Saturday night.
Fans were jubilant this weekend after the Chicago Bears sent the Green Bay Packers packing in a stunning victory in an NFC Wild Card playoff game.
The Bulls put seven players in double figures, outscored the Mavericks 38-8 in fast-break points and never trailed.
Bregman, who turns 32 in March, was back on the market for a second straight offseason.
They bounced back after being down during the first half but woke up in the second half, securing their win 31-27.
A man suspected of burglarizing a convenience store was arrested this weekend following a standoff with police in the north Chicago suburb of Lake Zurich.
A man was left in critical condition early Sunday morning after being shot in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood.
A man was stabbed on a CTA Red Line train along the Dan Ryan Expressway early Sunday morning.
Michael McKee is the ex-husband of Monique Tepe, according to court records obtained by CBS News. Tepe and her husband, Spencer, were shot and killed in Columbus on Dec. 30.
The faceoff took place on a street in the capital after the suspect "and the dead man agreed to fight each other," police said.
