Free Republic

Two sources with knowledge of the situation told the Tribune today they have been notified that Christopher Kelly, a key figure in the federal corruption probe into former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, is dead. The Cook County medical examiner’s office today confirmed that a body identified as Christopher Kelly was brought to the morgue from Stroger Hospital. The office would not provide any details, including his age, address and manner of death, because the family had not yet arrived at the office. Kelly’s attorney, Michael Monico, declined to comment today when reached by a Tribune reporter. Kelly is a former confidant...

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic official says Roland Burris will not run for a full Senate term in 2010. The source says Burris has begun informing Democratic officials about his decision. The official spoke anonymously because Burris had yet to announce his decision publicly.

"Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (L) gestures as former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris (C), his choice to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama, and U.S. Congressman Bobby Rush look on during a news conference in Chicago, Illinois."

Following a 90-minute audition meeting today with Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. said he was confident in the process the governor is using to make his choice for a Senate successor to President-elect Barack Obama. But Jackson also touted his credentials for being Blagojevich’s choice, saying that in his 13-year House career serving the South Side and south suburbs, he has only missed two votes. Jackson also said there are three factors that the next senator must be able to fulfill. “He has to be able to legislate. Or she has to be able to legislate,” Jackson said,...

Could Illinois Governor Blagojevich suffer the same fate as convicted former Governor George Ryan? Sources tell CBS 2 News Chicago that Federal agents claim to have enough evidence to indict Blagojevich on fraud and conspiracy charges. However, the report says the investigators aren't the ones who make the decision to prosecute. That would be up to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and the Justice Department in Washington.