After Blagojevich Verdict, Illinois Politicians Promise to Clean Up Corruption

Chicago - Rod Blagojevich Trial Extended Coverage >>

Democrat Rod Blagojevich promised us he'd clean up Republican George Ryan's corrupt mess.

On Tuesday after Blagojevich was found guilty of just one of 24 counts of corruption, virtually every politician in the state offered a version of that same promise.

Pat Quinn, who took over after the impeachment last year, told a news conference in Springfield he's already delivering.

"We've cleaned up our government, we've reformed our government," said Quinn. "I think the people of Illinois know they have the first honest governor in a long time."

Quinn's Republican challenger, Bill Brady, got right to his point in his written statement: "This important election in November marks the single best opportunity in our lifetime to finally clean house in Springfield."

Then, there's the Republican nominee Blagojevich beat four years ago, despite extensive media reports here and elsewhere that he was under federal investigation.

"I don't think we've seen a con man quite like Rod Blagojevich," said Judy Baar Topinka. "The depth of snake oil is just huge here. I'm disappointed. I don't think justice has been served as it ought. There's more that has to be resolved. And I think a retrial is the way to do this."

Democratic Senate Candidate Alexi Giannoulias, who's trying to keep Obama's Senate Seat in Democratic hands, released this statement about the verdict.

"Today, the jury found Rod Blagojevich guilty for lying, and on November 2nd, the voters of Illinois will reject Mark Kirk for lying," Giannoulias said. "The people of Illinois deserve leaders they can trust."

Giannoulias' Republican opponent, Congressman Mark Kirk, also weighed in.

"This is a sad day for Illinois. Rod Blagojevich disgraced our state and deserved the full weight of justice. For the sake of our economic future, the citizens of Illinois need to turn the page from Rod Blagojevich and the team he brought to power by electing thoughtful independent leaders who will restore integrity to our state," Kirk said.

Senate President John Cullerton defended the General Assembly's decision to impeach Blagojevich and throw him out of office.

"I voted to remove Mr. Blagojevich because he was clearly unable to govern, demonstrated disdain for the laws and processes of our state and pathologically abused his power without regard for the people he was elected to serve," said Cullerton.

Until we know details of the new trial date, and perhaps a new list of witnesses, some of the continuing political fallout is not clear. But Democrats who thought it would be all over have just discovered that it's not.