Report: Zell was on Blago campaign's list

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that two weeks before former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges his campaign was planning to solicit a $25,000 campaign contribution from Tribune Co. chairman Sam Zell.

The newspaper reported Friday that it obtained internal campaign documents showing Zell was among 33 potential donors and that a note suggests Blagojevich would be contacting Zell.

A Zell spokeswoman says he didn't donate last year or promise to. Blagojevich lawyers say Zell wasn't solicited.

Tribune Co. owns the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Cubs. Among other things, Blagojevich is accused of telling his chief of staff to threaten to withhold aid in the proposed sale of the Cubs unless some Tribune editorial writers were fired.