Blago sentenced to 14 years in prison

Disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich, the hair-brained Chicago Democrat, was sentenced to 14 years in prison by US District Court Judge James Zagel in downtown Chicago just now, according to a Tweet by WCIA-TV's Steve Staeger, who is covering the case for the central Illinois television station.

It took two trials, but Blago was found guilty of various corruption charges in June.

Earlier today, the Northwest Side resident finally expressed remorse for his crimes, telling the court that he made "terrible mistakes" and the he is "terribly sorry."

Blagojevich tried to sway the judge with sympathy, mentioned that his daughters have a unique surname--people will know who their father is and what he did. However, I have to add, Blago should have thought about his girls years prior.

In addition to the prison sentence, which is double what his prececessor, Republican George H. Ryan received, Blagojevich will have to pay a $20,000 fine. He will report to prison on February 16.

Blagojevich is the fourth Illinois governor sentenced to prison in my lifetime, joining Democrats Otto Kerner and Dan Walker, and of course Ryan, in that hall of shame.