Blagojevich trial could affect election season

[May 19, 2010]  SPRINGFIELD -- There are a few weeks left until the federal corruption trial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is scheduled to begin on June 3. In a time when Illinois is facing a major budget deficit, the trial might have an effect on how voters view state politics, experts said.

Patrick Collins, the lead prosecutor in the federal racketeering trial of former Illinois Gov. George Ryan, said the state is going through "unprecedented times" with the Blagojevich trial coming up. He said there has been a major change in Illinois politics since the Ryan trial and conviction.

"The combination of the Ryan administration's problems and the Blagojevich administration's problems, that sort of one-two punch, I think has changed Illinois politics," Collins said.

Collins said the trial and the state of affairs in Illinois will leave voters with a chip on their shoulder when elections roll around in November. He said the alleged corruption of Blagojevich will also be a target for political campaign slams.

"I think this trial will leave a collective bad taste in the voter's mouth about Illinois government," Collins said. "I think, in some respects, it will be the fodder for campaign commercials and for talking points for politicians as they go into the Labor Day to November election cycle."

Roosevelt University political science professor Paul Green agrees with Collins and said the trial falls at a perfect time for politicians who want to use it in their campaign.

"Politically speaking, this trial could not come at a better time," Green said. "This will be during a whole summer, which is going to (have) pretty dull politics, and it will probably end right as the campaign season begins after Labor Day. … Everyone will be able to follow (the trial) and use it for their campaigns."

Green said the trial will help Republicans who are seeking office, but Collins said that with both Ryan and Blagojevich going to trial, the parties are pretty equal in the voters' eyes.

Green called the trial "hanging fruit" for the Republicans seeking office. However, he said that if Blagojevich does take the stand at trial, there could very well be Republican names in his testimony.

Overall, the alleged corruption charges and trial against Blagojevich are not going to change how the state feels about its politics, Green said. He said the state's image is already low.

"The good news is, no matter what (Blagojevich) says, how much further could the politics sink?" Green said. "Right now, we're below sea level. It's going to be very tough to hurt the image of Illinois politics."

[Illinois Statehouse News; By ASHLEY BADGLEY]