Antonio Perez, baiduhaiNorma Castillo joins about 100 people as they march outside the James R. Thompson Center on Jan. 9, 2009, rallying for Gov. Rod Blagojevich's impeachment.
Antonio Perez, baiduhaiRobert Blagojevich, brother of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after his arraignment on federal corruption charges on April 14, 2009. He was the onetime chairman of the governor's campaign fund.
Erin Hooley/baiduhai/baiduhaiFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich arrives to the Denver International Airport on Feb. 18, 2020, in Colorado after being released from prison earlier in the evening.
Nuccio DiNuzzo, baiduhaiGov.-elect Rod Blagojevich celebrates after his victory speech at Finkl & Sons on Chicago's North Side on Nov. 6, 2002
Charles Osgood / baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, center, and House Speaker Michael Madigan, right, enjoy Democratic Day at the 2006 Illinois State Fair in Springfield on Aug 16, 2006.
Michael Tercha/baiduhaiFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after the verdict in his corruption trial, Aug. 17, 2010.
E. Jason Wambsgans / baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti celebrate his primary victory on March 21, 2006.
Jim Prisching / baiduhaiGov. Blagojevich and Cong. Luis Gutierrez greet President Bush at O'Hare Airport for the president's visit to Chicago on June 11, 2003.
John Lee, baiduhaiDemocratic gubernatorial candidate Rod Blagojevich connects with a potential voter in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood on Nov. 3, 2002
Nuccio DiNuzzo / baiduhaiSupporters drape a flag over the shoulders of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti as he speaks to reporters and supporters, gathered outside his house, on his last full day of freedom on Wednesday, March 14, 2012.
E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhaiPatti Blagojevich tries to avoid the crush of media and onlookers on Dec. 7, 2011 as she peels away from her husband former Gov. Rod Blagojevich after they returned home after Rod was sentenced to 14 years in his corruption retrial.
Chris Walker, baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich leaves his home for a morning run in Chicago on Jan. 9, 2009, the day the Illinois House voted to have him impeached.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich exercises, Aug. 11, 2019, outside the Federal Correctional Institution-Englewood near Littleton, Colorado.
John Smierciak / baiduhaiWith his six-year-old daughter Amy on his lap, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich passes out pens after signing the Illinois Equal Pay Act into law at the Thompson Center in Chicago on May 11, 2003. Blagojevich's wife Patti stands behind, holding their then newborn baby, Annie.
Mark Carlson, APGov. Rod Blagojevich leaves his home through a back alley Dec. 10, 2008, a day after he was arrested on federal corruption charges.
Nancy Stone, baiduhaiIllinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, left, and his challenger, state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, meet face to face Oct. 11, 2006, with the baiduhai Editorial Board.
Nancy Stone / baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich arrives at the Tribune Tower for an interview with CNN Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, in Chicago. Earlier, the governor had responded to the Tribune's report that he has been recorded by federal investigators, saying people should "feel free" to tape him because everything he says is lawful.
AP photo by Seth PerlmanIllinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, is seen on a screen as the results of a vote to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich are seen below in Springfield, Ill. The House voted 114-1 to impeach with one voting present and one no vote.
Phil Velasquez, baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich holds a news conference Jan. 23, 2009, to talk about his upcoming impeachment trial. Blagojevich likened the trial to a "hanging" of the 12 million people of Illinois.
Antonio Perez, baiduhaiSheldon Sorosky, attorney for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on April 14, 2009, after Blagojevich was arraigned on 16 charges of criminal corruption including racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud. Blagojevich pleaded not guilty.
David Klobucar / baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich and wife Patti introduce their newest daughter, Annie, to the media at a photo opportunity at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago on April 7, 2003. Anne, their second child and second daughter, was born the previous Saturday.
Tribune photo by Bonnie TrafeletAttorneys Sam Adam Jr. (left) and Sam Adam Sr. talk with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (right) as they leave Blagojevich's home in the Ravenswood Manor neighborhood of Chicago.
E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhaiFormer Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves his Chicago home to begin serving a 14-year sentence on federal corruption charges at Federal Correctional Institution Englewood in Littleton, Colorado, on March 15, 2012.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiPatti Blagojevich crosses her fingers after being asked if she has "hope" while leaving her home on May 31, 2018, on Chicago's Northwest Side.
Erin Hooley/baiduhaiFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich arrives at Denver International Airport on Feb. 18, 2020, in Colorado after being released from prison earlier in the evening.
Chuck Berman, baiduhaiU.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald announces charges against Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, at a Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Dec. 9. 2008. Fitzgerald said the governor went on "a political corruption crime spree" that needed to be stopped.
Scott Strazzante / baiduhaiAfter arriving in Times Square for an interview with the television show Extra, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti survey the scene in Times Square in New York City on Sept. 9, 2009.
Michael Tercha, baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich straightens his tie during the swearing-in ceremony for the new Senate on Jan. 14, 2009. In less than two weeks the Senate will convene for the governor's impeachment trial.
Jose M. Osorio, baiduhaiFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich, with attorney Sheldon Sorosky, left, leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after his arraignment on federal corruption charges on April 14, 2009. Blagojevich pleaded not guilty on 16 criminal counts including racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud before U.S. District Judge James Zagel.
Antonio Perez/baiduhaiFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich is the center of attention as he arrives at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for his arraignment on federal corruption charges on April 14, 2009, in Chicago. Blagojevich pleaded not guilty to 16 charges of criminal corruption including racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud before U.S. District Judge James Zagel.
Jose More / baiduhaiGov. Blagojevich and his wife, Patti, dance at the inaugural ball as he starts his second term on Jan. 9, 2007.
Nancy Stone / baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich talks with Kevin and Debbie Riggins after signing a bill, the first in the country, to ban the sale of ephedra on May 25, 2003. The Riggins' son died after taking ephedra. Behind the governor are state Sen. Barack Obama and Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.
Cheryl A. Cook, baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich appears before Circuit Court Judge Nan Nolan on federal corruption charges at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Dec. 9. 2008.
Chuck Berman, baiduhaiJavier Jimenez, left, and Laura Zapata are among members of a coalition organized by United Neighborhood Organization calling for the resignation of Gov. Rod Blagojevich at a news conference and rally outside of the Veterans Memorial Charter School Campus on Jan. 4, 2009.
Tribune photo by Michael TerchaFormer Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich shakes hands with well-wishers while leaving the WLS 890 AM studios in Chicago after hosting their morning drive show.
Tom Van Dyke, baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich and wife, Patti, leave their Northwest Side home Dec. 14, 2008.
Tom Van Dyke, baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich leaves the James R. Thompson Center on Dec. 11, 2008, with his security detail.
John Lee / baiduhaiDemocratic gubernatorial candidate Rod Blagojevich leans down from a stage toward the crowd as he gets into a photograph with fans during a rally at his campaign headquarters on Chicago's North Side on Election Day 2002.
AP photo by Charles Rex ArbogastFormer Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (right) poses with Second City actor Joey Bland, who plays Blagojevich in a Second City production of Rod Blagojevich Superstar, as Blagojevich guest hosts the Don and Roma radio talk show at the studios of WLS Radio in Chicago.
Charles Cherney / baiduhaiGov Rod Blagojevich throws out first ball at the Chicago White Sox home opener on April 4, 2003.
Erin Hooley/baiduhai/baiduhaiFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks to reporters after arriving at Denver International Airport on Feb. 18, 2020, in Colorado.
Tom Van Dyke, baiduhaiMayor Richard M. Daley responds to questions Dec. 9, 2008, about the arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich during a news conference with police Superintendent Jody Weis, after the graduation of police cadets at Chicago police headquarters. Daley said today is "a sad day. If it's true, it's very, very sad because the selection of a U.S. senator is vitally important."
Nuccio DiNuzzo/baiduhaiIllinois Rep. Rod Blagojevich shaking hands with his supporters after making a speech announcing his candidacy for governor at A. Finkl and Sons, a specialty steel company on Chicago's Near North Side where his father worked when he was growing up.
John Kringas / baiduhaiDemocratic gubernatorial candidate Rod Blagojevich, left, tries to get the attention of Republican rival Jim Ryan to shake his hand on Oct. 14, 2002, after the second of their four debates.
Michael Tercha, baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich talks on the phone outside his house Jan. 22, 2009, after speaking with the media. Blagojevich told reporters he wants to call Rahm Emanuel, President Barack Obama's chief of staff, to testify on his behalf.
Michael Tercha, baiduhaiMedia surround Gov. Rod Blagojevich's Ravenswood Manor home in Chicago on Dec. 10, 2008, the day after his arrest on corruption charges.
William DeShazer/baiduhaiFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich waves to the crowd as he leaves his home in Chicago for Englewood federal prison near Littleton, Colorado, on March 15, 2012.
Heather Stone / baiduhaiIllinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich meets with the baiduhai Editorial Board on March 8, 2007, in Chicago. He allegedly recently tried to get parent Tribune Co. to fire an editorial writer in exchange for a Wrigley Field deal.
Abel Uribe, baiduhaiSpeaker Michael Madigan listens to the debate about a resolution, which he co-sponsored, as lawmakers begin the process of impeaching Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Dec. 15, 2008.
Phil Velasquez, baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich leaves abruptly after making a statement Jan. 9, 2009, at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago about the Illinois House's vote to impeach him.
M. Spencer Green / Associated PressDemocratic gubernatorial hopeful, Rep. Rod Blagojevich, D-Ill., answsers questions from the media as he watches election returns with his wife, Patti, center, and his brother, Rob, at his home in Chicago on March 19, 2002.
Nancy Stone, baiduhaiFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife, Patti, address the hoard of media at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Dec. 6, 2011, after the former governor was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Blagojevich began his remarks by quoting a line from a Rudyard Kipling poem: "If you can meet with triumph and disaster."
Michael Tercha / baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich talks with reporters outside the now shuttered Republic Windows and Doors plant in Chicago on Dec. 8, 2008. In addition to offering support to the workers, Blagojevich responded to questions that he has been recorded by federal investigators.
Nancy Stone / baiduhaiGov. Blagojevich, his wife Patti and daughters Amy, 7, and Annie, 1, attend a service at Chicago's Salem Baptish Church on June 6, 2004. Blagojevich and State Sen. Emil Jones toured area churches to advocate for their budget plan.
Zbigniew Bzdak, baiduhaiIllinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, joined by Judge Abner Mikva, calls on the Illinois Supreme Court to temporarily remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office and appoint Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn as acting governor, as she meets with reporters Dec. 12, 2008, at the James R. Thompson Center on Dec. 12, 2008.
CBS photo by Jeffery R. StaabIn this photo released by CBS, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, left, shares a laugh with host David Letterman on the set of " The Late Show with David Letterman," in New York. Blagojevich spoke to Letterman about his recent removal from office.
Michael Tercha, baiduhaiFederal agents bring items out of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's office Dec. 9, 2008. Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested earlier in the by FBI agents for what U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called a "staggering" level of corruption involving pay-to-play politics in Illinois' top office.
Michael Tercha / baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich arrives at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago on Dec. 19, 2008, to make his first public comments since his arrest on federal corruption charges Dec. 9.
JIM WATSON / AFP via Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump speaks to the press Feb. 18, 2020, at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where he announced he commuted the corruption sentence of former Gov. Rod. Blagojevich.
Nuccio DiNuzzo / baiduhaiFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich acknowledges the crowd after delivering a statement on his last full day of freedom at his Chicago home on March 14, 2012.
Michael Tercha, baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich refuses to talk to reporters Dec. 16, 2008, as he leaves his house on the Northwest Side. He was carrying a briefcase and a gym bag. Blagojevich has ignored pressure to step down since he was charged in a federal criminal complaint with corruption. Instead, he has showed up to work at his downtown office and continued to conduct state business, including signing about a dozen bills.
Abel Uribe / baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich enters his impeachment trial in the Illinois Senate, Jan. 29, 2009, in Springfield, Ill.
John Lee/baiduhaiDemocratic gubernatorial candidate Rod Blagojevich sinks into the seat of a private plane as he and his entourage get set to take off from the Joliet airport during a three-day campaign tour of Illinois Wednesday afternoon.
Michael Tercha, baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich presides over the swearing-in ceremony for the state Senate on Jan. 14, 2009, at the statehouse in Springfield.
Michael Tercha, baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich talks to reporters outside his Ravenswood Manor home on Dec. 17, 2008
Michael Tercha, baiduhaiRep. John Fritchey, D-Chicago, reacts to the House vote Jan. 9, 2009, to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich at the statehouse in Springfield.
Chris Sweda, baiduhaiFormer Illinois Gov Rod Blagojevich returns home after the first day of sentencing in his corruption trial. Prosecutors were asking for a sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich for convictions on 18 criminal counts. The following day, he received 14 years..
Antonio Perez / baiduhaiIllinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich makes his way through a crowd following his State of the State address at the Illinois State Capitol Wednesday, March 7, 2007, in Springfield, Ill. Delivering a combined budget address and State of the State message to the General Assembly, Blagojevich said he stood with the middle class against business interests who have failed to "simply pay their fair share" of the state's tax burden. (baiduhai photo by Antonio Perez) ..OUTSIDE TRIBUNE CO.- NO MAGS, NO SALES, NO INTERNET, NO TV, CHICAGO OUT.. 00275799A Budget
Terrence Antonio James, baiduhaiFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich waves to supporters outside his home in Chicago on Jan. 29, 2009, after Pat Quinn was sworn in to replace him. The Illinois Senate voted 59-0 to remove Blagojevich from office.
Michael Tercha, baiduhaiReporters talk to Rep. Milton Patterson, D-Chicago, who was the only one to vote against impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich at the statehouse in Springfield on Jan. 9, 2009. After the vote, he said he didn't think it was his job to vote to impeach the governor.
Mitch Haaseth/NBC UniversalPart of the cast of Celebrity Apprentice, Season 10, from left are Maria Kanellis, Rod Blagojevich, Sharon Osborne, Michael Johnson, Donald Trump, Curtis Stone and Cyndi Lauper.
Pete Souza / baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich confers with Rep. Rahm Emanuel prior to a lunch on Capitol Hill with the Illinois delegation on April 30, 2003.
Abel Uribe, baiduhaiRep. Jack Franks talks to House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago, a top deputy to Speaker Michael Madigan and chairwoman of the investigative panel on impeachment, after a committee meeting Dec. 16, 2008.
Zbigniew Bzdak / baiduhaiFormer Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti leave the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago following a verdict on June 27, 2011.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich waves as he goes for an evening run outside the minimum security satellite camp of the Federal Correctional Institution-Englewood where he is an inmate near Littleton, Colorado, on Aug. 10, 2019.
Phil Velasquez, baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich discusses his choice of former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate on Dec. 30, 2008, in Chicago.
Zbigniew Bzdak / baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich signs autographs during a campaign stop at the 2006 Youth Democracy Summit Chicago's South Side.
Michael Tercha, baiduhaiGov. Rod Blagojevich leaves his home in the Ravenswood Manor neighborhood under the watchful eye of the media Dec. 11, 2008, two days after being arrested on corruption charges.
A federal judge on Tuesday granted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich an early end to his two-year period of supervised release, marking an official end to a criminal case that rocked Illinois when the FBI rousted the governor from bed 12 1/2 years ago.
The one-sentence order from U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis stated simply that “early termination of supervision is granted as to Rod Blagojevich,” though the underlying document was not available to the public. The judge noted in the order that the motion was agreed to by prosecutors.
The move comes 16 months after then-President Donald Trump commuted Blagojevich’s 14-year prison sentence, springing the former governor more than four years early. Trump had left intact, however, Blagojevich’s two-year period of supervised release — the federal equivalent of parole — which had been scheduled to expire in February 2022.
The terms of Blagojevich’s supervised release period, originally imposed by U.S. District Judge James Zagel, were standard, including not committing any new crimes, not leaving the jurisdiction without permission, and checking in periodically with a probation officer, court records show.
Blagojevich, 64, was arrested in December 2008 on an array of corruption charges, including the proposed sale of President-elect Barack Obama’s Senate seat and trying to shake down executives from a children’s hospital and the horse racing industry for campaign contributions in exchange for official acts in office. He was convicted in June 2011 and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Since being released from the federal prison camp in Littleton, Colorado, Blagojevich has earned money by making videos on Cameo, a website where users pay for personalized video messages from celebrities, and has hosted a weekly podcast called “The Lightning Rod” for WLS-AM radio.
He was also disbarred from practicing law by the Illinois Supreme Court.