Illinois high court nears decision on Blagojevich appeal

CHICAGO (AP) — Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich could soon learn whether the U.S. Supreme Court will hear an appeal of his conviction on charges of corruption that included an attempt to sell an appointment to President Barack Obama's old Senate seat.

The 59-year-old Democrat had five of his 18 convictions thrown out last year and has asked that the remaining ones be overturned. He is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence.

The justices deliberated Blagojevich's petition Friday during a weekly case conference, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Blagojevich argues that the line between the legal trading of political favors and bribery has become muddled, potentially exposing politicians everywhere to criminal charges.
The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also grappled with the issue of what is and isn't corruption when it struck five of Blagojevich's convictions in its July ruling.

The panel determined that Blagojevich crossed that line when he sought money — often campaign cash — for naming someone to the U.S. Senate seat that Obama vacated when he became president. But the judges said he didn't cross it by asking for a Cabinet seat for himself.

The panel also ordered a new sentencing hearing for Blagojevich, which has not yet been scheduled.