Blagojevich could still reform Illinois

This is the time of year when many Illinoisans stop to give "thanks" for the gifts they've received.

This year, we Illinoisans shouldn't forget to send our thanks to Peter Fitzgerald, the civic-minded individual who unfortunately, especially given the recent turn of events here in Illinois, was far too unheralded and publicly appreciated, when he served all too briefly as our Former Illinois Republican United States Senator. It was, after all, Peter Fitzgerald who had the great foresight and unprecedented political courage to bring Patrick Fitzgerald, not a relative - unusual in itself for Illinois - as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District.

And what a "gift" U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has proved to be for the people of the State of Illinois!

Now, rather ironically, another well-known public official, Governor Rod Blagojevich, might be weighing his last chance to deliver to the good citizens of Illinois, another priceless gift - as the "reform governor" he once promised to be. Blagojevich knows where all the skeletons are buried. He can name all of those devious associations and lay his hands on the well-hidden, treasured lists of specialized deal-making that crossed his desk; costing Illinois taxpayers more than we will likely know otherwise. His gift of information could become the most important and historically valuable Christmas present the taxpayers of Illinois have ever found stuffed in their stockings on Christmas morning; the stuff of Blagojevich's political legacy.

Patrick J. Dalton

Northbrook